Philippines Crime Rate & Safety
Homicide statistics, crime trends, and travel safety for Philippines
US State Department Travel Advisory
Exercise Increased Caution
Updated May 8, 2025
Philippines recorded 4.3 intentional homicides per 100,000 people in 2023, a rate that is moderate by global standards. That places Philippines #77 of 195 countries by homicide rate, compared with the Asia average of 2.0 per 100,000 and a world average of 5.2. Homicide rates have fallen 58% over the past decade (from 10.4 in 2016). For travelers, the US State Department currently rates Philippines at Level 2 of 4: Exercise Increased Caution.
Homicide Rate
4.3 /100k
Safety Rank
#119 of 195
Travel Advisory
Level 2 of 4
Data Year
2023
Homicide Rate Trend (1990-2023)
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people. Homicide rates have fallen 58% over the past decade (from 10.4 in 2016). Source: UNODC via World Bank.
How Philippines Compares
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people, latest available year per country.
Who Is Affected
In Philippines, the homicide rate for men is 6.4× higher than the rate for women — 7.5 vs 1.2 per 100,000 (2023).
Homicide victims per 100,000 of each sex. Source: UNODC via World Bank.
Armed Conflict Context
Philippines has recorded battle-related deaths in recent years. Conflict deaths are counted separately from homicides — a country can have a moderate crime rate but significant conflict risk, and travel advisories weigh both.
Battle-Related Deaths
176(2024)
Military Spending
1.3% GDP(2024)
Safety for Travelers
Summary of the current US State Department advisory for Philippines:
Reissued after periodic review with minor edits. Exercise increased caution in the Philippines due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory. Do Not Travel to: The Sulu Archipelago, including the southern Sulu Sea, due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping . Marawi City in Mindanao due to terrorism and civil unrest . Reconsider Travel to: Other areas of Mindanao due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping .
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.
Philippines Population & Demographics
Population of 115,843,670, growth trends, economy, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Philippines safe to visit?
The US State Department rates Philippines at Level 2 of 4 (Exercise Increased Caution). The homicide rate of 4.3 per 100,000 is moderate by global standards.
What is the crime rate in Philippines?
Philippines has an intentional homicide rate of 4.3 per 100,000 people (2023, World Bank/UNODC), ranking #77 of 195 countries.
What is the US travel advisory level for Philippines?
Philippines is currently at Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Advisory levels range from Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) to Level 4 (Do Not Travel).
How does crime in Philippines compare to other countries?
Philippines's homicide rate of 4.3 per 100,000 is below the world average of 5.2 and above the Asia average of 2.0.