Sierra Leone Crime Rate & Safety
Homicide statistics, crime trends, and travel safety for Sierra Leone
US State Department Travel Advisory
Exercise Increased Caution
Updated September 15, 2025
Sierra Leone recorded 2.2 intentional homicides per 100,000 people in 2020, a rate that is low by global standards. That places Sierra Leone #110 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 fallen 15% over the past decade (from 2.6 in 2010). For travelers, the US State Department currently rates Sierra Leone at Level 2 of 4: Exercise Increased Caution.
Homicide Rate
2.2 /100k
Safety Rank
#86 of 195
Travel Advisory
Level 2 of 4
Data Year
2020
Homicide Rate Trend (2004-2020)
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people. Homicide rates have fallen 15% over the past decade (from 2.6 in 2010). Source: UNODC via World Bank.
How Sierra Leone Compares
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people, latest available year per country.
Safety for Travelers
Summary of the current US State Department advisory for Sierra Leone:
Exercise increased caution in Sierra Leone due to crime , civil unrest , and inadequate health infrastructure. Advisory Summary: Crime Violent crimes, such as robbery and assault, occur frequently in Sierra Leone, especially in Freetown. Police struggle to respond to serious crime in most places due to limited resources. Do not travel outside the Freetown peninsula after nightfall. There are increased safety hazards and security concerns at night. U.S. government employees in Sierra Leone are prohibited from travel outside the capital after dark. The 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.
Sierra Leone Population & Demographics
Population of 8,642,022, growth trends, economy, and more.
Crime & Safety in Neighboring Countries
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sierra Leone safe to visit?
The US State Department rates Sierra Leone at Level 2 of 4 (Exercise Increased Caution). Cited risks include crime, civil unrest, health. The homicide rate of 2.2 per 100,000 is low by global standards.
What is the crime rate in Sierra Leone?
Sierra Leone has an intentional homicide rate of 2.2 per 100,000 people (2020, World Bank/UNODC), ranking #110 of 195 countries.
What is the US travel advisory level for Sierra Leone?
Sierra Leone 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 Sierra Leone compare to other countries?
Sierra Leone's homicide rate of 2.2 per 100,000 is below the world average of 5.2 and below the Africa average of 7.6.