Zambia Crime Rate & Safety
Homicide statistics, crime trends, and travel safety for Zambia
US State Department Travel Advisory
Exercise Normal Precautions
Updated July 31, 2023
Zambia recorded 5.2 intentional homicides per 100,000 people in 2015, a rate that is moderate by global standards. That places Zambia #66 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 remained broadly stable over the past decade. For travelers, the US State Department currently rates Zambia at Level 1 of 4: Exercise Normal Precautions.
Homicide Rate
5.2 /100k
Safety Rank
#130 of 195
Travel Advisory
Level 1 of 4
Data Year
2015
Homicide Rate Trend (1990-2015)
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people. Homicide rates have remained broadly stable over the past decade. Source: UNODC via World Bank.
How Zambia Compares
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people, latest available year per country.
Safety for Travelers
Summary of the current US State Department advisory for Zambia:
Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed. Exercise normal precautions in Zambia. Read the country information page for additional information about travel to Zambia. If you decide to travel to Zambia: Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program ( STEP ) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency. Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter . Follow the U.S. Embassy in Zambia on Facebook and Twitter . Review the Country Security Report for Zambia. Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler's Checklist .
Level 1
Exercise Normal Precautions
Level 2
Exercise Increased Caution
Level 3
Reconsider Travel
Level 4
Do Not Travel
Safety Guidance for Zambia
Practical safety information for visitors, from US State Department country information (last updated September 03, 2025).
Crime
The most commonly reported crimes committed against Westerners in Lusaka are non-violent confrontations characterized as crimes of opportunity (theft of unattended possessions in public places or hotel rooms, confidence scams). Pickpockets operate in crowded markets and on public transportation, and visitors have reported snatch attacks of bags and smartphones on busy city streets as well as smash-and-grabs of valuables from vehicles idling in slow traffic and from parked cars. Other crimes, including thefts, violent attacks, including home invasions/robberies, and sexual assaults have occurred on many occasions. Victims are, on occasion, followed from banks, nightclubs, and ATMs and robbed at gunpoint, on the street, or upon arrival at their residence.
Be aware of
Pick-pockets operating in crowded markets and on public transportation; Snatch attacks of bags and smart phones on busy city streets; “Smash and grab” of valuables from vehicles idled in traffic and from parked cars; Thefts, violent attacks, home invasions/robberies; and Recent incidents involving sexual assaults.
Demonstrations
occur frequently. They may take place in response to political or economic issues, on politically significant holidays, and during international events. Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly become violent. Avoid areas around protests and demonstrations. Check local media for updates and traffic advisories.
International Financial Scams
See the Department of State Department of State and the FBI pages for information. Internet romance and financial scams are prevalent in Zambia. Scams are often initiated through Internet postings/profiles or by unsolicited emails and letters. Scammers almost always pose as U.S. citizens who have no one else to turn to for help. Common scams include: Romance/Online dating Money transfers Contracts with promises of large commissions Work permits/job offers
Border Areas
Travelers should not drive off-road or in remote areas near the borders with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Angola because of the danger of undetected land mines and unexploded ordnance. If you must travel to these areas, you should drive in convoys and carry satellite telephones. Parts of the DRC border area can be plagued with unrest and/or armed criminal elements. See the Country Information pages for the DRC and Angola for additional information.
Victims of Crime
U.S. citizen victims of sexual assault are encouraged to contact the U.S. Embassy for assistance. Report crime to the local police at 991 or 112 and contact the U.S. Embassy at + (260) 011-357-000 or + (260) 966-050-123. Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crime. See our webpage on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas . We can: Help you find appropriate medical care Assist you in reporting a crime to the police Contact relatives or friends with your written consent Provide general information regarding the victim’s role during the local investigation and following its conclusion Provide a list of local attorneys Provide our information on victim’s compensation programs in the U.S .
Domestic Violence
U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence may contact the Embassy for assistance. The legal age of marriage in Zambia is 16 for boys and girls with parental consent and 21 without consent. The law also prohibits Female genital mutilation or cutting (FGM/C) for women and girls and criminalizes rape and other sexual offenses, and courts have discretion to sentence convicted rapists to life imprisonment with hard labor. The law however does not include provisions for spousal rape. The penal code criminalizes domestic violence between spouses and among family members living in the same home. It also provides for prosecution of most crimes of gender-based violence, and penalties for conviction range from a fine to 25 years imprisonment, depending on the severity of injury and whether a weapon was used.
Tourism
: The tourism industry is unevenly regulated, and safety inspections for equipment and facilities do not commonly occur. Hazardous areas/activities are not always identified with appropriate signage, and staff may not be trained or certified either by the host government or by recognized authorities in the field. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is typically available only in/near major cities and there are no trauma facilities in the country. First responders are generally unable to access areas outside of major cities and to provide urgent medical treatment. U.S. citizens are advised to purchase medical evacuation insurance .
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.
Zambia Population & Demographics
Population of 21,314,956, growth trends, economy, and more.
Crime & Safety in Neighboring Countries
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Zambia safe to visit?
The US State Department rates Zambia at Level 1 of 4 (Exercise Normal Precautions). The homicide rate of 5.2 per 100,000 is moderate by global standards.
What is the crime rate in Zambia?
Zambia has an intentional homicide rate of 5.2 per 100,000 people (2015, World Bank/UNODC), ranking #66 of 195 countries.
What is the US travel advisory level for Zambia?
Zambia 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 Zambia compare to other countries?
Zambia's homicide rate of 5.2 per 100,000 is below the world average of 5.2 and below the Africa average of 7.6.