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
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.