#108 safest of 195Africa

Rwanda Crime Rate & Safety

Homicide statistics, crime trends, and travel safety for Rwanda

3of 4

US State Department Travel Advisory

Reconsider Travel

Updated May 11, 2026

Rwanda recorded 3.6 intentional homicides per 100,000 people in 2020, a rate that is moderate by global standards. That places Rwanda #88 of 195 countries by homicide rate, compared with the Africa average of 7.6 per 100,000 and a world average of 5.2. Homicide rates have risen 28% over the past decade (from 2.8 in 2010). For travelers, the US State Department currently rates Rwanda at Level 3 of 4: Reconsider Travel.

Homicide Rate

3.6 /100k

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Safety Rank

#108 of 195

🛡️

Travel Advisory

Level 3 of 4

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Data Year

2020

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Homicide Rate Trend (2006-2020)

Intentional homicides per 100,000 people. Homicide rates have risen 28% over the past decade (from 2.8 in 2010). Source: UNODC via World Bank.

Rwanda homicide rateWorld average

How Rwanda Compares

Rwanda3.6

Africa average7.6

World average5.2

Intentional homicides per 100,000 people, latest available year per country.

Armed Conflict Context

Rwanda 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

1(2024)

Military Spending

1.3% GDP(2024)

Safety for Travelers

Summary of the current US State Department advisory for Rwanda:

There was no change to the advisory level. The 3 areas of increased risk were combined into 1. The Advisory Summary was updated. Exercise increased caution in Rwanda due to crime and unrest . Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory. Read the entire Do not travel to within 10 kilometers of Rwanda's border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo due to unrest. Advisory Summary Crime Petty crime like pickpocketing is a risk in urban areas. More serious incidents are less common but can happen. This includes burglary or targeted theft. Stay aware of your surroundings.

Level 1

Exercise Normal Precautions

Level 2

Exercise Increased Caution

Level 3

Reconsider Travel

Level 4

Do Not Travel

Read the full advisory on travel.state.gov →

Safety Guidance for Rwanda

Practical safety information for visitors, from US State Department country information (last updated May 14, 2026).

Precautions

: Avoid demonstrations and remain vigilant while traveling, especially outside of cities. Even peaceful gatherings can become violent. Exercise extreme caution in border areas as the border may not be clearly marked. Monitor local news and Embassy Alerts . Obtain permits before entering Rwanda’s national parks.

Crime

Most reported incidents involve petty theft and residential and hotel room robberies. Burglars may break and enter, or domestic staff and residential security guards may permit them entry.

Precautions

: Avoid walking alone, especially after dark. Do not display cash and valuables. Maintain caution in areas frequented by foreigners. Drive with doors locked and windows closed. Always carry a photocopy of your U.S. passport and visa. Keep original documents in a secure location.

International Financial Scams

See the Department of State and the FBI pages for information.

Victims of Crime

If you are in immediate danger, your first call should be to the Rwandan police through the emergency hotline number 112. U.S. citizen victims of sexual assault should also contact the U.S. Embassy for assistance. Report crimes to the Rwanda National Police at 078-831-1124 and contact the U.S. Embassy at 250-252-596-400. Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting 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.

Additional Resources

: Kigali City emergency hotline number is 112. Be aware that victims are often directed to the nearest police station to register a complaint in person. The hotline number for traffic accidents is 113. The hotline number to report abuse or attempted bribery by a police officer is 116. See the complete list of police brigade numbers on Embassy Kigali’s website . Ambulances: Emergency Medical Service (SAMU) 112 King Faisal Hospital +250 788-309-003

Tourism

The tourism industry is unevenly regulated, and safety inspections for equipment and facilities are uncommon. 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. Additionally, ambulance services are limited and unreliable. Tourists participate in activities at their own risk. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance. See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage .

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.