Crime worldwide - statistics & facts
In 2023, Saint Kitts and Nevis had the highest murder rate worldwide, with 65 murders per 100,000 inhabitants. Due to its strategic geographic location in the Caribbean, the island serves as a transit point. Therefore, many homicides are believed to be drug and gang-related. However, organized crime affects many more countries, on different continents.
However, these numbers do not include victims killed in violent conflict or war. For instance, people living in Chad had the highest risk of becoming victims of genocide in 2025, followed by people living in Sudan, where a mass killing episode was ongoing that year.
Highest murder rates in Latin America
Violent crimes tend to occur more frequently in countries and regions where a high number of the population lives in poverty, and where government institutions are weak. This partly explains the high murder rates found in some Latin American countries. Interestingly, El Salvador, which long had the highest global homicide rates, has dropped out of the top 20 after a high number of gang members have been incarcerated. Still, many of the world's most dangerous cities are found in Latin America. The list was dominated by cities in Mexico, with Port-au-Prince in Haiti having the highest murder rate outside Mexico.However, these numbers do not include victims killed in violent conflict or war. For instance, people living in Chad had the highest risk of becoming victims of genocide in 2025, followed by people living in Sudan, where a mass killing episode was ongoing that year.
