Paraguay Crime Rate & Safety
Homicide statistics, crime trends, and travel safety for Paraguay
US State Department Travel Advisory
Exercise Normal Precautions
Updated April 30, 2025
Paraguay recorded 6.8 intentional homicides per 100,000 people in 2023, a rate that is moderate by global standards. That places Paraguay #53 of 195 countries by homicide rate, compared with the Americas average of 20.8 per 100,000 and a world average of 5.2. Homicide rates have fallen 33% over the past decade (from 10.1 in 2013). For travelers, the US State Department currently rates Paraguay at Level 1 of 4: Exercise Normal Precautions.
Homicide Rate
6.8 /100k
Safety Rank
#143 of 195
Travel Advisory
Level 1 of 4
Data Year
2023
Homicide Rate Trend (2000-2023)
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people. Homicide rates have fallen 33% over the past decade (from 10.1 in 2013). Source: UNODC via World Bank.
How Paraguay Compares
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people, latest available year per country.
Who Is Affected
In Paraguay, the homicide rate for men is 5.5× higher than the rate for women — 11.4 vs 2.1 per 100,000 (2023).
Homicide victims per 100,000 of each sex. Source: UNODC via World Bank.
Safety for Travelers
Summary of the current US State Department advisory for Paraguay:
Reissued after periodic review with minor edits. Exercise normal precautions in Paraguay. Some areas have increased crime risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory. Exercise increased caution due to crime in these departments: Alto Paran Amambay Canindeyu Concepcion San Pedro Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Paraguay. If you decide to travel to Paraguay: Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive messages and Alerts from the U.S. Embassy and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
Level 1
Exercise Normal Precautions
Level 2
Exercise Increased Caution
Level 3
Reconsider Travel
Level 4
Do Not Travel
Safety Guidance for Paraguay
Practical safety information for visitors, from US State Department country information (last updated February 21, 2019).
Security Messages
Messages regarding demonstrations, strikes, and weather-related events are posted on the Embassy’s website .
Terrorism
The U.S. Embassy is not aware of any specific threat to U.S. citizens in Paraguay. Nevertheless, you should remain vigilant at all times while travelling.
Crime
Transnational criminal organizations facilitate the illicit trafficking of arms, narcotics, and other goods in Paraguay, particularly along Paraguay’s eastern border with Brazil, most prominently from Pedro Juan Caballero south to Ciudad del Este, including the Tri-Border Area of Paraguay, Brazil, and Argentina. Coupled with the lack of sufficient police enforcement, the involvement of these organizations heightens violent crime in these areas. The U.S. Embassy in Asuncion requires U.S. government personnel and their family members to provide advance notice and a travel itinerary when traveling outside of the capital, particularly when traveling to Ciudad del Este, or to the departments of Alto Parana, San Pedro, Concepcion, Amambay, and Canindeyu. U.S.
Victims of Crime
U.S. citizen victims of sexual assault should first contact the U.S. Embassy. Report crimes to the local police at 911 and contact the U.S. Embassy at (+595) 021-213-715 and press 2210 (Dial (+595) (21) 229 581 after hours). Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime. See our webpage on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas .
Domestic Violence
U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence may contact the Embassy for assistance.
Tourism
The tourism industry is unevenly regulated, and safety inspections for equipment and facilities do not commonly occur. Hazardous areas/activities are not always identified with appropriate signage, and staff may not be trained or certified either by the host government or by recognized authorities in the field. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is typically available only in/near major cities. First responders are generally unable to access areas outside of major cities and to provide urgent medical treatment. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance .
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.
Paraguay Population & Demographics
Population of 6,929,153, growth trends, economy, and more.
Crime & Safety in Neighboring Countries
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Paraguay safe to visit?
The US State Department rates Paraguay at Level 1 of 4 (Exercise Normal Precautions). The homicide rate of 6.8 per 100,000 is moderate by global standards.
What is the crime rate in Paraguay?
Paraguay has an intentional homicide rate of 6.8 per 100,000 people (2023, World Bank/UNODC), ranking #53 of 195 countries.
What is the US travel advisory level for Paraguay?
Paraguay is currently at Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions. Advisory levels range from Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) to Level 4 (Do Not Travel).
How does crime in Paraguay compare to other countries?
Paraguay's homicide rate of 6.8 per 100,000 is above the world average of 5.2 and below the Americas average of 20.8.