Zimbabwe Crime Rate & Safety
Homicide statistics, crime trends, and travel safety for Zimbabwe
US State Department Travel Advisory
Exercise Increased Caution
Updated June 27, 2023
Zimbabwe recorded 6.8 intentional homicides per 100,000 people in 2022, a rate that is moderate by global standards. That places Zimbabwe #56 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 Zimbabwe at Level 2 of 4: Exercise Increased Caution.
Homicide Rate
6.8 /100k
Safety Rank
#140 of 195
Travel Advisory
Level 2 of 4
Data Year
2022
Homicide Rate Trend (1990-2022)
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people. Homicide rates have remained broadly stable over the past decade. Source: UNODC via World Bank.
How Zimbabwe Compares
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people, latest available year per country.
Who Is Affected
In Zimbabwe, the homicide rate for men is 4.9× higher than the rate for women — 11.6 vs 2.4 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 Zimbabwe:
Reissued after periodic review with updates to crime and civil unrest information. Exercise increased caution in Zimbabwe due to crime and official harassment of U.S. citizens. Country Summary : Opportunistic crime, such as pickpocketing, theft, and smashing of car windows with intent to steal, is common. Violent crime, such as assault, carjacking, and home invasion, also occurs. Criminals often target foreigners and residents suspected of having large sums of cash. Demonstrations may occur and increase in frequency around political events, such as elections.
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.
Zimbabwe Population & Demographics
Population of 16,634,373, growth trends, economy, and more.
Crime & Safety in Neighboring Countries
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Zimbabwe safe to visit?
The US State Department rates Zimbabwe at Level 2 of 4 (Exercise Increased Caution). Cited risks include crime, civil unrest. The homicide rate of 6.8 per 100,000 is moderate by global standards.
What is the crime rate in Zimbabwe?
Zimbabwe has an intentional homicide rate of 6.8 per 100,000 people (2022, World Bank/UNODC), ranking #56 of 195 countries.
What is the US travel advisory level for Zimbabwe?
Zimbabwe 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 Zimbabwe compare to other countries?
Zimbabwe's homicide rate of 6.8 per 100,000 is above the world average of 5.2 and below the Africa average of 7.6.