South Africa Crime Rate & Safety
Homicide statistics, crime trends, and travel safety for South Africa
US State Department Travel Advisory
Exercise Increased Caution
Updated May 27, 2025
South Africa recorded 43.7 intentional homicides per 100,000 people in 2022, a rate that is among the highest in the world. That places South Africa #7 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 45% over the past decade (from 30.1 in 2012). For travelers, the US State Department currently rates South Africa at Level 2 of 4: Exercise Increased Caution.
Homicide Rate
43.7 /100k
Safety Rank
#189 of 195
Travel Advisory
Level 2 of 4
Data Year
2022
Homicide Rate Trend (1994-2022)
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people. Homicide rates have risen 45% over the past decade (from 30.1 in 2012). Source: UNODC via World Bank.
How South Africa Compares
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people, latest available year per country.
Who Is Affected
In South Africa, the homicide rate for men is 6.0× higher than the rate for women — 73.4 vs 12.2 per 100,000 (2022).
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 South Africa:
Updated to reflect information on driving at night and addition of the terrorism risk indicator. Exercise increased caution in South Africa due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping . Advisory summary: Violent crime is common and includes robbery, rape, carjacking and mugging. There are also "smash-and-grab" attacks on vehicles.Violent crime is more common in the downtown areas of big cities, especially after dark. Kidnapping is a threat in South Africa. Kidnappers target U.S. citizens and other foreign travelers to steal money.
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.
South Africa Population & Demographics
Population of 64,007,187, growth trends, economy, and more.
Crime & Safety in Neighboring Countries
Frequently Asked Questions
Is South Africa safe to visit?
The US State Department rates South Africa at Level 2 of 4 (Exercise Increased Caution). Cited risks include terrorism. The homicide rate of 43.7 per 100,000 is among the highest in the world.
What is the crime rate in South Africa?
South Africa has an intentional homicide rate of 43.7 per 100,000 people (2022, World Bank/UNODC), ranking #7 of 195 countries.
What is the US travel advisory level for South Africa?
South Africa 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 South Africa compare to other countries?
South Africa's homicide rate of 43.7 per 100,000 is above the world average of 5.2 and above the Africa average of 7.6.