Sweden Crime Rate & Safety
Homicide statistics, crime trends, and travel safety for Sweden
US State Department Travel Advisory
Exercise Increased Caution
Updated May 18, 2026
Sweden recorded 1.1 intentional homicides per 100,000 people in 2023, a rate that is low by global standards. That places Sweden #141 of 195 countries by homicide rate, compared with the Europe average of 1.6 per 100,000 and a world average of 5.2. Homicide has stayed rare over the past decade (0.9 per 100,000 in 2013, 1.1 today). For travelers, the US State Department currently rates Sweden at Level 2 of 4: Exercise Increased Caution.
Homicide Rate
1.1 /100k
Safety Rank
#55 of 195
Travel Advisory
Level 2 of 4
Data Year
2023
Homicide Rate Trend (1990-2023)
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people. Homicide has stayed rare over the past decade (0.9 per 100,000 in 2013, 1.1 today). Source: UNODC via World Bank.
How Sweden Compares
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people, latest available year per country.
Who Is Affected
In Sweden, the homicide rate for men is 2.6× higher than the rate for women — 1.7 vs 0.6 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 Sweden:
There were no changes to the advisory level or risk indicators. Advisory summary was updated. Exercise increased caution in Sweden due to terrorism . Advisory summary There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Sweden. Visit the U.S. Department of State's country reports on terrorism to learn more.
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.
Sweden Population & Demographics
Population of 10,569,709, growth trends, economy, and more.
Crime & Safety in Neighboring Countries
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sweden safe to visit?
The US State Department rates Sweden at Level 2 of 4 (Exercise Increased Caution). The homicide rate of 1.1 per 100,000 is low by global standards.
What is the crime rate in Sweden?
Sweden has an intentional homicide rate of 1.1 per 100,000 people (2023, World Bank/UNODC), ranking #141 of 195 countries.
What is the US travel advisory level for Sweden?
Sweden is currently at Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Advisory levels range from Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) to Level 4 (Do Not Travel).
How does crime in Sweden compare to other countries?
Sweden's homicide rate of 1.1 per 100,000 is below the world average of 5.2 and below the Europe average of 1.6.