The 10 Countries With The Highest Crime Rates in the World

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The crime rates of various countries vary wildly according to the laws, enforcement, economy, and unemployment of an area. Countries that have higher unemployment, higher poverty, and lower enforcement of laws tend to have higher crime rates.

The general crime rate of a country is calculated by the number of crime victims per 100,000 residents. According to World Population Review, these are the most dangerous countries in the world.

Methodology

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World Population Review, calculated the overall crime rate is calculated by dividing the total number of reported crimes of any kind by the total population, then multiplying the result by 100,000 (because the crime rate is typically reported as X number of crimes per 100,000 people).

Crime rates vary greatly from country to country and are influenced by many factors. For example, high poverty levels and unemployment tend to inflate a country’s crime rate. Conversely, strict police enforcement and severe sentences tend to reduce crime rates.

There is also a strong correlation between age and crime, with most crimes, especially violent crimes, being committed by those ages 20-30 years old.

Venezuela

Caracas, Venezuela
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The crime index of this country is 83.76, making it the world’s most dangerous. There’s a level four travel advisory issued by the U.S. Department of State to discourage travel to this country that’s had a major breakdown of law and order.

Papua New Guinea

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The crime index here is 80.79. The country has been going through a lot of political and economic changes, leading to an upsurge in criminal activity. It has a major problem with drugs and organized crime.

South Africa

overall aerial view of Cape Town, South Africa
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South Africa has an enormous amount of violent crime such as homicide and rape. High unemployment and poverty can account for some of this rate. In a survey, 25% of the men in the country admitted they had committed rape. The crime index is 75.5.

Afghanistan

View on the city of Kabul, Afghanistan
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A wide range of crimes affect safety in Afghanistan, including its extensive drug industry. In 2020, the country made 85% of the illegal opium in the world. The crime index is 78.4.

Honduras

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Honduras has a crime index of 74.54. It has a big problem with homicides and gangs that are highly dangerous. It’s one of the major routes for drugs getting into the U.S. and has weak law enforcement.

Trinidad and Tobago

King's Wharf in Port of Spain at Trinidad
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With a crime index of 70.8, this is a country that has a lot of economic problems that contribute to the problems with drugs and gangs. Visitors to the country are often victims of theft, fraud, and assault.

Guyana

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The murder rate of this South American country is four times that of the U.S. It has a crime index of 68.74 for its high rate of assaults and armed robberies. Hotel break-ins often make victims of tourists.

El Salvador

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This country has a major problem with organized crime. It has large gangs and even youth gangs that have taken over much of the country. Gangs and drug traffickers work together and there are frequent disputes of territory that can get violent.

Brazil

Sao Paulo - Brazil - Latin America
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Brazil has a serious problem with violent crime. Organized crime is a major issue with fighting between opposing groups being common. There are about 23 murders for every 100,000 people.

Jamaica

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This Caribbean nation has a lot of gang activity, political corruption, and violent crime. The police force has limited resources and is understaffed. There are areas like Montego Bay that travelers are recommended to avoid because of the violence.

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Some states have a high population density and many population centers. Others are mostly rural and may have little population. The difference between the top and bottom states in terms of population is enormous.

According to World Population Review, these are the top 15 states for population.

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Some states are safer than others, and this is a big influence on where people move. Places with a low level of public safety have a lot of crime, and this can prevent the public from wanting to move there and even visit.

There are various types of crime, with violent crime and property crime being highly important to the public safety rating of each state.

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Picture this: you find a stack of cash. Do you pocket the unexpected windfall, or do you take the noble route and hand it in to the police?

In this scenario, a significant 47% of Americans admit they would keep the found money, assuming no one saw their stroke of luck. Interestingly, gender doesn’t play a big role, with both women (47.4%) and men (46.6%) expressing similar inclinations to be tempted by the cash.

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There are rich people around the world, but there are some areas that have more wealthy residents than others. When looking at how many millionaires there are in each country, it isn’t even remotely even.

There are major wealth centers in certain countries that represent far more wealth than exists in other areas. It’s amazing how many millionaires there are; this is where they’re located.

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There are some countries where the majority of visitors love their experience. However, there are other countries that people come back from and never recommend to anyone. These countries often have circumstances that make the trip miserable so that visitors can’t wait to leave and go home.

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