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
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.