Saudi Arabia Crime Rate & Safety
Homicide statistics, crime trends, and travel safety for Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia recorded 0.9 intentional homicides per 100,000 people in 2019, a rate that is among the lowest in the world. That places Saudi Arabia #154 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 has stayed rare over the past decade (0.7 per 100,000 in 2018, 0.9 today). For travelers, the US State Department currently rates Saudi Arabia at Level 3 of 4: Reconsider Travel.
Homicide Rate
0.9 /100k
Safety Rank
#42 of 195
Travel Advisory
Level 3 of 4
Data Year
2019
Homicide Rate Trend (1999-2019)
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people. Homicide has stayed rare over the past decade (0.7 per 100,000 in 2018, 0.9 today). Source: UNODC via World Bank.
How Saudi Arabia Compares
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people, latest available year per country.
Who Is Affected
In Saudi Arabia, the homicide rate for men is 6.6× higher than the rate for women — 2.0 vs 0.3 per 100,000 (2017).
Homicide victims per 100,000 of each sex. Source: UNODC via World Bank.
Armed Conflict Context
Saudi Arabia 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
9(2023)
Military Spending
7.3% GDP(2024)
Safety for Travelers
Summary of the current US State Department advisory for Saudi Arabia:
There were no changes to the advisory level or risk indicators. Advisory summary was updated. Reconsider travel to Saudi Arabia due to risk of Iranian drone and missile targeting of American interests, armed conflict , terrorism, exit bans, and local laws regarding social media activity. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory. Do Not Travel to the Yemen border due to threat of Terrorism. Advisory summary On March 8, 2026, the Department of State ordered non-emergency U.S. government employees and U.S.
Level 1
Exercise Normal Precautions
Level 2
Exercise Increased Caution
Level 3
Reconsider Travel
Level 4
Do Not Travel
Safety Guidance for Saudi Arabia
Practical safety information for visitors, from US State Department country information (last updated May 21, 2026).
Crime
Crime in Saudi Arabia has increased over recent years but remains at levels far below most major metropolitan areas in the United States. You should be aware of your surroundings, keep valuables out of sight and secure, and travel with a companion, if possible. Some Saudi citizens who perceive that a foreigner is not observing conservative standards of conduct or dress have been known to harass, pursue, or assault that person. Even when released from detention, witnesses to criminal incidents may be prohibited from leaving the country until investigation of the incident is complete. See the websites of the Department of State and the FBI for information on scams.
Victims of Crime
If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime, you should contact the local police at “999” and contact the Embassy in Riyadh or one of the Consulates in Jeddah or Dhahran.Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime. See the Department of State’s webpage on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas . The Department can: help you identify appropriate medical care; assist you in reporting a crime to the police; contact relatives or friends with your written consent; explain the local criminal justice process in general terms; provide a list of local attorneys; provide information on victim’s compensation programs in the U.S. ; provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution; help you find accommodation and arrange flights home; replace a stolen or lost passport.
Domestic Violence
If you are the victim of any form of physical violence, including domestic violence, you should contact the Saudi police by calling “999”. In addition, victims of domestic violence can contact the Saudi National Domestic Violence Hotline by dialing “1919.” The Saudi Ministry of Labor and Social Development runs a network of shelters for women and children. Contacting the domestic violence hotline (“1919”) is the only way to access these shelters. The Saudi National Family Safety Program also runs a Child Help Line “116111” and can assist children in accessing Saudi social services. When reporting domestic violence, it is imperative to get a case reference number as all Saudi social and legal assistance is tied to this case number. It is also a good idea to document any injuries and obtain a copy of any medical reports. U.S.
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. 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.
Saudi Arabia Population & Demographics
Population of 35,300,280, growth trends, economy, and more.
Crime & Safety in Neighboring Countries
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Saudi Arabia safe to visit?
The US State Department rates Saudi Arabia at Level 3 of 4 (Reconsider Travel). The homicide rate of 0.9 per 100,000 is among the lowest in the world.
What is the crime rate in Saudi Arabia?
Saudi Arabia has an intentional homicide rate of 0.9 per 100,000 people (2019, World Bank/UNODC), ranking #154 of 195 countries.
What is the US travel advisory level for Saudi Arabia?
Saudi Arabia 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 Saudi Arabia compare to other countries?
Saudi Arabia's homicide rate of 0.9 per 100,000 is below the world average of 5.2 and below the Asia average of 2.0.