Sudan Crime Rate & Safety
Homicide statistics, crime trends, and travel safety for Sudan
Sudan recorded 5.2 intentional homicides per 100,000 people in 2008, a rate that is moderate by global standards. That places Sudan #67 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 10% over the past decade (from 4.7 in 2007). For travelers, the US State Department currently rates Sudan at Level 4 of 4: Do Not Travel.
Homicide Rate
5.2 /100k
Safety Rank
#129 of 195
Travel Advisory
Level 4 of 4
Data Year
2008
Homicide Rate Trend (2007-2008)
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people. Homicide rates have risen 10% over the past decade (from 4.7 in 2007). Source: UNODC via World Bank.
How Sudan Compares
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people, latest available year per country.
Armed Conflict Context
Sudan 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
4,680(2024)
Military Spending
0.9% GDP(2021)
Safety for Travelers
Summary of the current US State Department advisory for Sudan:
There was no change to the advisory level or risk indicators. Advisory summary was updated. Do not travel to Sudan due to risk of unrest, crime, kidnapping, terrorism, landmines, and health risks . Advisory summary The U.S. Embassy in Khartoum suspended its operations in April 2023 due to the outbreak of armed conflict in Sudan. The U.S. government cannot provide routine or emergency consular services to Americans in Sudan due to the current security situation. Do not travel to Sudan for any reason. To report an emergency regarding an American in Sudan, contact: U.S.
Level 1
Exercise Normal Precautions
Level 2
Exercise Increased Caution
Level 3
Reconsider Travel
Level 4
Do Not Travel
Safety Guidance for Sudan
Practical safety information for visitors, from US State Department country information (last updated November 12, 2025).
Terrorism
Members and individual sympathizers of known terrorist groups and hardline political extremists could attack with little or no warning, targeting foreign and local government facilities and areas frequented by Westerners. Globally, terrorists are increasingly using less sophisticated methods of attack – including knives, firearms, and vehicles – to more effectively target crowds. Frequently, their aim is unprotected or vulnerable targets, such as: High-profile public events (sporting contests, political rallies, demonstrations, holiday events, celebratory gatherings, etc.) Hotels, clubs, and restaurants frequented by tourists Places of worship Schools Parks Shopping malls and markets Public transportation systems (including subways, buses, trains, and scheduled commercial flights) For more information, see our Terrorism page.
Darfur Region
Flares of deadly intercommunal conflict continue, as does violence perpetrated by bandits and militias. Criminality, looting, and conflict over economic resources (land, gold, livestock) also is common. Tensions within camps for internally displaced people have resulted in fatalities and violence. Extrajudicial mobs and armed communal militia may mobilize quickly. Armed actors may transit Sudan’s shared borders with Chad and Central African Republic.
Eastern Sudan (Kassala, Gedaref, and Red Sea States)
Escalating tensions between Ethiopia and Sudan have prompted a sizeable build-up of military forces along the disputed border in Gedaref’s Fashaga region as well as recurring military-to-military engagements, clashes involving Ethiopian militias, and intercommunal reprisals over farmland. Incidents of cross-border criminality to include kidnapping have occurred. Human traffickers and organized crime syndicates are known to operate in the Kassala area (Kassala, Al Qadarif, and Red Sea states) along the Ethiopian and Eritrean borders. Stay on major roads if you are traveling by vehicle due to potential landmines and other explosive remnants of war.
Crime
Crime, such as kidnapping, armed robbery, home invasion, and carjacking, can occur, though such crimes are more frequent outside of Khartoum. In Khartoum, home invasion, pickpocketing, purse snatching, theft from vehicles, and other petty crime occur, and the number of petty crimes has increased over the past year. There is a risk of kidnapping. Expatriates are not generally targeted for crime in Khartoum, but may be caught in a ‘wrong place, wrong time’ situation. Elsewhere in Sudan, particularly in Darfur, armed robbery, kidnapping, carjacking, and looting is common; victims may be targeted based on perceived wealth or affiliation, and aid workers continue to be affected by such crimes. Banditry is prevalent throughout western Sudan, particularly in the Darfur and Chad–Sudan border regions, where several incidents have resulted in deaths.
Demonstrations
Small gatherings and demonstrations can occur with no warning and may escalate to violence. Protests are a regular occurrence since the 2019 revolution, with the pace increasing following the October 25, 2021 military takeover. Police and other security forces may intervene to disperse demonstrators, including with the use of tear gas and, in some instances, live ammunition, when protests occur near key governmental locations and/or impair freedom of movement. Protests and demonstrations have led to extended disruptions to telecommunications and, in some instances, airport closures, inhibiting U.S. citizens’ abilities to communicate with friends and family or depart the country. Historical anniversaries, calls for justice, and economic grievances, including bread, cooking oil, and fuel shortages, can precipitate demonstrations. Avoid areas around protests and demonstrations.
International Financial Scams
See the Department of State and the FBI pages for information.
Victims of Crime
U.S. citizen victims of sexual assault or domestic violence are encouraged to contact the U.S. Embassy for assistance. Report crimes to the local police at 999 and contact the U.S. Embassy at +249 18 702 2000. Dial 777 to contact the police for traffic emergencies, 998 for fire, and 333 for medical emergencies. Emergency services and the telephone network are unreliable. 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 are encouraged to contact the Embassy for assistance.
Tourism
Little to no formal tourism industry infrastructure is in place. Emergency response and subsequent appropriate medical treatment is often limited or inadequate. 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.
Sudan Population & Demographics
Population of 50,448,963, growth trends, economy, and more.
Crime & Safety in Neighboring Countries
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sudan safe to visit?
The US State Department rates Sudan at Level 4 of 4 (Do Not Travel). The homicide rate of 5.2 per 100,000 is moderate by global standards.
What is the crime rate in Sudan?
Sudan has an intentional homicide rate of 5.2 per 100,000 people (2008, World Bank/UNODC), ranking #67 of 195 countries.
What is the US travel advisory level for Sudan?
Sudan is currently at Level 4: Do Not Travel. Advisory levels range from Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) to Level 4 (Do Not Travel).
How does crime in Sudan compare to other countries?
Sudan's homicide rate of 5.2 per 100,000 is below the world average of 5.2 and below the Africa average of 7.6.