Papua New Guinea Crime Rate & Safety
Homicide statistics, crime trends, and travel safety for Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea recorded 9.3 intentional homicides per 100,000 people in 2010, a rate that is high by global standards. That places Papua New Guinea #43 of 195 countries by homicide rate, compared with the Oceania average of 5.9 per 100,000 and a world average of 5.2. Homicide rates have risen 11% over the past decade (from 8.4 in 2000). For travelers, the US State Department currently rates Papua New Guinea at Level 3 of 4: Reconsider Travel.
Homicide Rate
9.3 /100k
Safety Rank
#153 of 195
Travel Advisory
Level 3 of 4
Data Year
2010
Homicide Rate Trend (1998-2010)
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people. Homicide rates have risen 11% over the past decade (from 8.4 in 2000). Source: UNODC via World Bank.
How Papua New Guinea Compares
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people, latest available year per country.
Safety for Travelers
Summary of the current US State Department advisory for Papua New Guinea:
Reissued after periodic review with minor edits. Reconsider travel to Papua New Guinea due to crime, civil unrest, and piracy . Exercise increased caution due to kidnapping, unexploded ordnance, inconsistent availability of healthcare services, and potential for natural disasters. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory. Do not travel to: Central Bougainville, particularly areas near the Panguna mine, due to civil unrest . The Highlands region, other than the towns of Mt. Hagen and Goroka, due to civil unrest .
Level 1
Exercise Normal Precautions
Level 2
Exercise Increased Caution
Level 3
Reconsider Travel
Level 4
Do Not Travel
About This Data
Homicide figures are intentional homicides per 100,000 people, compiled by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and published by the World Bank (indicator VC.IHR.PSRC.P5). Homicide is the most reliably comparable crime statistic across countries because definitions of other offences (assault, theft, robbery) vary widely between national legal systems and reporting practices.
Travel advisory levels are issued by the US Department of State and updated continuously. They reflect risks to travelers including crime, terrorism, civil unrest, health, and natural disasters — not only crime rates. Countries report crime data with different lags; the most recent available year is shown for each metric.
Papua New Guinea Population & Demographics
Population of 10,576,502, growth trends, economy, and more.
Crime & Safety in Neighboring Countries
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Papua New Guinea safe to visit?
The US State Department rates Papua New Guinea at Level 3 of 4 (Reconsider Travel). The homicide rate of 9.3 per 100,000 is high by global standards.
What is the crime rate in Papua New Guinea?
Papua New Guinea has an intentional homicide rate of 9.3 per 100,000 people (2010, World Bank/UNODC), ranking #43 of 195 countries.
What is the US travel advisory level for Papua New Guinea?
Papua New Guinea is currently at Level 3: Reconsider Travel. Advisory levels range from Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) to Level 4 (Do Not Travel).
How does crime in Papua New Guinea compare to other countries?
Papua New Guinea's homicide rate of 9.3 per 100,000 is above the world average of 5.2 and above the Oceania average of 5.9.