#111 safest of 195Africa

Tanzania Crime Rate & Safety

Homicide statistics, crime trends, and travel safety for Tanzania

3of 4

US State Department Travel Advisory

Reconsider Travel

Updated October 31, 2025

Tanzania recorded 3.8 intentional homicides per 100,000 people in 2020, a rate that is moderate by global standards. That places Tanzania #85 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 57% over the past decade (from 8.7 in 2010). For travelers, the US State Department currently rates Tanzania at Level 3 of 4: Reconsider Travel.

Homicide Rate

3.8 /100k

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Safety Rank

#111 of 195

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Travel Advisory

Level 3 of 4

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Data Year

2020

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Homicide Rate Trend (1995-2020)

Intentional homicides per 100,000 people. Homicide rates have fallen 57% over the past decade (from 8.7 in 2010). Source: UNODC via World Bank.

Tanzania homicide rateWorld average

How Tanzania Compares

Tanzania3.8

Africa average7.6

World average5.2

Intentional homicides per 100,000 people, latest available year per country.

Who Is Affected

In Tanzania, the homicide rate for men is 3.4× higher than the rate for women — 5.8 vs 1.7 per 100,000 (2020).

Male victims5.8

Female victims1.7

Homicide victims per 100,000 of each sex. Source: UNODC via World Bank.

Armed Conflict Context

Tanzania 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

25(2020)

Military Spending

1.1% GDP(2024)

Safety for Travelers

Summary of the current US State Department advisory for Tanzania:

The advisory level increased from Level 2 to 3. The "unrest" risk indicator was added. Reconsider travel to Tanzania due to unrest , crime , terrorism , and targeting of gay and lesbian individuals . Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory. Advisory summary Unrest Demonstrations often take place in response to political or economic issues. They may also occur on holidays or during large events. Demonstrations can be unpredictable. The Tanzanian government increases security presence around protests. This includes stationary checkpoints and roadblocks.

Level 1

Exercise Normal Precautions

Level 2

Exercise Increased Caution

Level 3

Reconsider Travel

Level 4

Do Not Travel

Read the full advisory on travel.state.gov →

Safety Guidance for Tanzania

Practical safety information for visitors, from US State Department country information (last updated January 21, 2025).

Terrorism

Travelers should be aware that 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) There have been reports of violence in the Mtwara region in southern Tanzania. Increased activity by extremists along the southern border has led to attacks against both government and civilian targets. For more information, see our Terrorism page.

Crime

Crime in Tanzania is a regular occurrence and Tanzanian authorities have limited capacity to deter and investigate such acts. Home invasions, sometimes violent, have been reported in Arusha and Dar es Salaam. Pickpockets and bag snatchers target Westerners in tourist areas.

International Financial Scams

See the Department of State and the FBI pages for information on scams.

Victims of Crime

If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime abroad, you should contact the local police and the U.S. embassy. We can: Replace a stolen passport. Help you find appropriate medical care if you are the victim of violent crimes such as assault or rape. Put you in contact with the appropriate police authorities, and if you want us to, contact family members or friends. Direct you to local attorneys, although it is important to remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.

Domestic Violence

U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence may have difficulty accessing sufficient social and/or medical support and local police have limited resources. The Embassy can provide information on the limited resources available in Tanzania to support survivors of domestic violence.

Sexual Assault

is a risk for all U.S. citizens and especially for women travelers. Victims of sexual assault may have difficulty accessing sufficient social and/or medical support. Local police have limited resources and investigations are often not completed. Prosecutions are very rare. The local equivalent to the “911” emergency line in Tanzania is “111”, “112”, and “+255 787 668 306” however response times can be very slow and service unreliable. Please see our information for victims of crime , including possible victim compensation programs in the United States.

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.