Vanuatu Crime Rate & Safety
Homicide statistics, crime trends, and travel safety for Vanuatu
US State Department Travel Advisory
Exercise Normal Precautions
Updated May 22, 2025
Vanuatu recorded 0.3 intentional homicides per 100,000 people in 2020, a rate that is among the lowest in the world. That places Vanuatu #187 of 195 countries by homicide rate, compared with the Oceania average of 5.9 per 100,000 and a world average of 5.2. Homicide has stayed rare over the past decade (0.7 per 100,000 in 2019, 0.3 today). For travelers, the US State Department currently rates Vanuatu at Level 1 of 4: Exercise Normal Precautions.
Homicide Rate
0.3 /100k
Safety Rank
#9 of 195
Travel Advisory
Level 1 of 4
Data Year
2020
Homicide Rate Trend (2019-2020)
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people. Homicide has stayed rare over the past decade (0.7 per 100,000 in 2019, 0.3 today). Source: UNODC via World Bank.
How Vanuatu Compares
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people, latest available year per country.
Who Is Affected
In Vanuatu, the homicide rate for men is 1.0× that of the rate for women — 0.7 vs 0.7 per 100,000 (2019).
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 Vanuatu:
Updated to reflect lowering the Travel Advisory Level from Level 3 to Level 1 due to ongoing recovery efforts and removal of the Natural Disaster (N) indicator. Exercise normal precautions in Vanuatu. Country Summary: Infrastructure and roads in Port Vila and the surrounding area were damaged during the December 2024 earthquake, with repairs in progress. Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Vanuatu. If you decide to travel to Vanuatu: Monitor local reports and updates from the Vanuatu government and follow all instructions from local authorities.
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.
Vanuatu Population & Demographics
Population of 327,777, growth trends, economy, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Vanuatu safe to visit?
The US State Department rates Vanuatu at Level 1 of 4 (Exercise Normal Precautions). Cited risks include natural disaster. The homicide rate of 0.3 per 100,000 is among the lowest in the world.
What is the crime rate in Vanuatu?
Vanuatu has an intentional homicide rate of 0.3 per 100,000 people (2020, World Bank/UNODC), ranking #187 of 195 countries.
What is the US travel advisory level for Vanuatu?
Vanuatu is currently at Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions. Advisory levels range from Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) to Level 4 (Do Not Travel).
How does crime in Vanuatu compare to other countries?
Vanuatu's homicide rate of 0.3 per 100,000 is below the world average of 5.2 and below the Oceania average of 5.9.