In 2023, South Africa ranked first in the crime index among African countries, with a score of 75.5 index points. Somalia was the second most dangerous country on the continent, obtaining 66.7 points. The index evaluates the overall crime levels in a specific country. Several African countries scored between 60 and 80 points, indicating high crime levels.
Escalating concerns: South Africans worry about crime and violence
In 2023, South Africa had one of the highest proportions of respondents expressing concerns about crime and violence compared to other countries participating in an online study. Throughout the period examined, the percentage of participants worried about violence peaked at 67 percent in March 2023. The escalating levels of violent crime currently witnessed in the country has caused this significant rise in concerned respondents.
South Africa's organized crime landscape
In 2021, South Africa ranked the fifth highest in organized crime compared to its African counterparts. The continent's most prevalent organized criminal activity was human and arms trafficking. Moreover, from a regional perspective, Southern African countries had the lowest organized crime rate.
FAQs
Safest countries in Africa 2024
In 2024, Rwanda was the safest country in Africa. It had a score of roughly 73.2 points in the safety index, making it the African nation with the lowest crime incidents and the only country with high safety levels - over 60 index points.
What is the safest African country? ›
Safest countries in Africa 2024
In 2024, Rwanda was the safest country in Africa. It had a score of roughly 73.2 points in the safety index, making it the African nation with the lowest crime incidents and the only country with high safety levels - over 60 index points.
Which country has the highest crime in Africa? ›
FAQs – Top 10 Most Dangerous Countries in Africa
- According to Number's crime index, South Africa has the highest crime rate in Africa.
- As per the Global Peace Index 2023, South Sudan stood as the most dangerous African country in the world.
1) Rwanda. With an astounding safety score of 73.2, Rwanda stands out as one of the safest nations in Africa. This little landlocked country in East Africa has come a long way in providing for the safety and well-being of both its citizens and tourists.
What are the top 10 countries with the highest crime rate? ›
List of Top 10 Countries with the Highest Crime Rate: The top 10 countries with the highest crime rate are – Venezuela, Papua New Guinea, Afghanistan, Haiti, South Africa Honduras, Trinidad, Tobago, Syria, Yemen, and Jamaica.
What is the most trusted African country? ›
Overall, Africa is a vast continent with a myriad of safe and exciting destinations for tourists. Among the best African countries to visit, Rwanda, Seychelles, Tanzania, Botswana, Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, Namibia, Lesotho, and Mauritius stand out as particularly secure and welcoming choices.
Is Kenya safe for white tourists? ›
There is a high threat of terrorist kidnap across Kenya. You should be alert to the heightened threat of terrorist kidnapping targeting westerners, including British nationals. Westerners have been the target of kidnaps in northern counties bordering Somalia and coastal counties. Further kidnaps are very likely.
What is the most feared country in Africa? ›
Recommended articles
| Rank | Country | Global terrorism index (GTI) |
|---|
| 1. | Burkina Faso | 8.571 |
| 2. | Mali | 7.998 |
| 3. | Somalia | 7.814 |
| 4. | Nigeria | 7.575 |
6 more rowsMar 27, 2024
1. Pretoria, South Africa. The city has seen an 85.82% increase in crime rates over recent years. In Pretoria, people worry about their homes being broken into and their belongings being stolen.
What is the most friendly country in Africa? ›
Kenya is one of the friendliest countries in Africa. It offers the cultural heritage of its locals, who are known for their height, beauty, and diversity. Kenya does not have a single prominent culture that the locals identify with, instead it is a mix of different cultures.
Nonetheless, Rwandans are most proud of their city's status as Africa's cleanest. Mostly because, unlike the God-given beauty that graces the land, it is a characteristic that each and every Rwandan consciously strives toward. Rwandans are most proud of their city's status as Africa's cleanest.
Is Africa safe for American tourists? ›
Africa's most popular tourist destinations are currently labelled by the US Department of State as Level 1 or Level 2 travel destinations. This ultimately means that travelers are not steered away from travel in Africa but rather advised to exercise caution during their stay.
What is the richest country in Africa? ›
GDP, a key measure of national wealth, shows Nigeria as the richest African country in 2021, primarily due to its large population and petroleum-focused economy.
Where does the U.S. rank in crime? ›
Despite being one of the world's most developed countries, the United States ranks 52nd, with a Crime Index of 47.81.
What continent has the highest crime rate? ›
Criminality
- Continent. Criminality. Criminality. Criminal markets. Criminal actors. Resilience. Population. ...
- 1 Asia. 5.470.17. 5.47. 5.41. 5.53. 4.34. 4,644,544,446. ...
- 2 Africa. 5.250.08. 5.25. 5.05. 5.45. 3.85. 1,391,783,250. ...
- 3 Americas. 5.200.14. 5.20. 4.89. 5.51. 4.80. ...
- 4 Europe. 4.740.26. 4.74. 4.60. 4.88. 6.27. ...
- 5 Oceania. 3.230.16. 3.23. 3.28. 3.19. 5.55.
Other statistics
| City | Country | Per 100,000 |
|---|
| Fresnillo | Mexico | 202.05 |
| Zamora | Mexico | 196.63 |
| Ciudad Obregón | Mexico | 155.77 |
| Los Cabos | Mexico | 113.00 |
9 more rowsIn Africa, the report indicates that Mauritius is the most peaceful country for 2024, with an overall score of 1.577. Following Mauritius, Madagascar has a score of 1.838, and Botswana scores 1.863.
Which is the best African country to live in? ›
1. Mauritius. And the winner in our rankings of the top African countries for quality of life is the tiny island nation of Mauritius. The island's idyllic landscapes, pleasant climate, and diverse economic opportunities are big reasons for its high HDI score of 0.802, which is on par with Malaysia's score.
Which is the happiest country in Africa? ›
Libya emerged as Africa's happiest country in the annual World Happiness Report for 2024 published on Wednesday. It was trailed by Mauritius and South Africa in the continent while Lesotho was ranked the least happiest in Africa.
