15 Countries with the Highest Deaths and Murders – Ranked!

Posted by , Updated on March 24, 2024

The compilation we have here, ‘Ranked! 15 Countries with the Highest Death and Murder Rates’, may seem somewhat grim, but let’s face it, you’ve considered its implications before. Some nations are incredibly secure for outsiders, while in others, it can feel like one is participating in a game of Russian roulette!

Many countries on this list have homicides that might leave you breathless. If you do decide to throw caution to the wind and go to some of these places, then please take all precautions to ensure your safety. If anything, you can go in knowing what you’re getting yourself into. Here are 15 Countries with the Highest Deaths and Murders – Ranked!

15

St. Lucia

st luciaSource: https://travel.usnews.com/St_Lucia/

St. Lucia is located in the West Indies and although it’s a tourist spot by many Americans, it has a homicide rate of 21.56 per 100,000 people. Yet, if you’re thinking about vacationing there, St. Lucia is still safe.

14

St Vincent and the Grenadines

St. VincentSource: https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/murder-rates-by-country.html

Located in the Lesser Antilles islands, St Vincent and the Grenadines has an average murder rate of 25.61.

13

Colombia

bogotaSource: https://www.insightcrime.org/colombia-organized-crime-news/colombia/

Colombia’s murder rate has dropped significantly in the last 30 years, but it’s still relatively high; some of the country is still overrun by guerrilla groups. Colombia has an average murder rate of 26.5 per 100,000 individuals.

12

Brazil

nightbrazilpicSource: https://www.numbeo.com/crime/country_result.jsp?country=Brazil

Many sections of Brazil are very beautiful and safe, but there are certain parts where crime, especially murder, is prevalent, such as Sao Paulo. Brazil has an average rate of 26.74. The crime in Brazil has been increasing for the last three years.

11

The Bahamas

nassaupicslumsSource: http://www.magneticmediatv.com/2017/06/bahamas-ranked-12th-highest-homicide-rate-in-the-world/

The Bahamas is probably the first pick for vacationing among families and spring breakers. However, in 2017, it was number 12 on the list of countries with the highest murder rate. On average, it has 29.81 murders per 100,000 inhabitants.

10

Trinidad and Tobago

picoftrinidadhoodSource: https://www.worldnomads.com/travel-safety/caribbean/trinidad-and-tobago/trinidad-and-tobago-high-crime

Sadly, Trinidad and Tobago are rife with a crime involving tourists. If you’re a tourist visiting the country, it’s advised that you stay within a group. Most crimes, including murder, happen in deserted areas. The average rate of murder is 30.88 per 100,000 people.

9

Guatemala

guatemalaflagSource: https://www.insightcrime.org/investigations/homicides-in-guatemala-analyzing-the-data/

High amounts of gang activity, drug trafficking, and gun violence are just a few reasons why Guatemala has a high murder rate. They’re reported to have 31.21 murders a year.

8

Saint Kitts and Nevis

stkittspicSource: https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/murder-rates-by-country.html

Saint Kitts and Nevis is actually the smallest country in the Americas and Western Hemisphere, but the murder rate is still very high at 33.55.

7

South Africa

jtownafricanslumsSource: https://www.osac.gov/pages/ContentReportDetails.aspx?cid=23940

South Africa has a murder rate of 34.21 per 100,000 people due to impoverished conditions and a starving population. U.S. citizens have been reported to be victims of robbery and murder.

6

Belize

flagbelizeSource: https://www.tripsavvy.com/crime-and-safety-in-belize-1487754

Belize is another popular vacation destination, but it also has a murder rate of 34.4 per 100,000 people. One of the biggest threats in Belize is gang violence and home invasions.

5

Lesotho

lesothohutpicSource: https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/murder-rates-by-country.html

A small country located in South Africa, Lesotho has a murder rate of 38 per 100,000 people. Most of the danger is found in urban areas, and tourists are prime victims.

4

Jamaica

kingstonpicSource: https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/murder-rates-by-country.html

Jamaica has the 4th highest rate of murder with 43.21 per 100,000 people. The murder rate has remained steady for years. However, at one point, it was 58 per 100,000 people. Even though it dropped, it was still not enough to push it off this list.

3

Venezuela

protestvenezuelaSource: https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/murder-rates-by-country.html

If you watch the news or read a paper, then you know about Venezuela’s ongoing crisis. The country is so poor that money has no value. As one can imagine, it has a murder rate of 57.15 people. Caracas, their capital, is said to be the most dangerous city in the world.

2

Honduras

hondurasslumsSource: https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/murder-rates-by-country.html

A country located in Central America, between El Salvador and Nicaragua, Honduras has the 2nd largest murder rate per capita with 63.75 homicides per 100,000 people.

1

El Salvador

slumselsalvadorSource: https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/murder-rates-by-country.html

El Salvador has the highest murder rate per capita with 108.64. A huge portion is from gang violence. It’s been a problem ever since their civil war that ended in 1992.



Photo: Featured Image - Shutterstock, 1. wordpress.com (Fair Use: Illustrative Purposes Only), 2. André Schütte, Honduras house copan, marked as public domain, more details on Wikimedia Commons , 3. Jamez42, Marcha Nocturna Venezuela 2017, CC BY-SA 4.0 , 4. flickr.com, CC BY 2.0, 5. pixabay.com (Public Domain), 6. Caleb Moore, Flag of Belize, marked as public domain, more details on Wikimedia Commons , 7. Medpro, Apartheid Soweto Joburg South Africa Slum Bidonville July 2005, CC BY 2.0 , 8. pixabay.com (Public Domain), 9. Fornax, Flag of Guatemala (1838-1843), marked as public domain, more details on Wikimedia Commons , 10. Kalamazadkhan, San Fernando Hill -Trinidad and Tobago, CC BY-SA 4.0 , 11. Nassau ColonialWreck, CC BY-SA 4.0 , 12. www.goodfreephotos.com (Public Domain), 13. flickr.com, CC BY-SA 2.0, 14. SKopp assumed (based on copyright claims)., Flag of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, marked as public domain, more details on Wikimedia Commons , 15. pixabay.com (Public Domain)