The Most Dangerous Countries in the World
While there are beautiful places in the world, some countries have made their way to the list of the top 10 most dangerous countries in the world. Based on the latest research this blog will show you just which countries are the most dangerous.
We’ve also compiled a list of the most dangerous countries by region based on the likelihood of robberies, thefts, hijackings and other crimes. So whether you are planning a holiday for your family or researching potential business risks globally, this list will pique your interest.
Bonus: 5 Cartrack tips for protecting your loved ones and assets in a ‘dangerous country’.
Top 10 most dangerous countries in the world
The World Population Review lists the following countries as the most dangerous based on their crime rate results (from worst to least):
This crime rate is based on the number of crimes reported per 100,000 people. To calculate the crime rate, the World Population Review divide the number of crimes of any type by the total population of the country and multiplies this by 100,000 people.
But what exactly makes each of these countries dangerous?
- Venezuela
The number one contributor to the high crime rate in this South American country is government corruption, the poor justice system and sentencing for crimes and the lack of respect for the rule of law. The crime index in this country is 83.76 which is the highest of any country in the world.
- Papua New Guinea
This country is known for being one of the most diverse countries in the world, with residents speaking over 800 different languages. Unfortunately, it’s also known for violent crimes fueled by rapidly changing political, economic and social changes in the country, the corruption and gang-related activity in the country. Bringing this diverse country to the second most dangerous country in the world.
- Afghanistan
Over the years, this country has been known for its constant political instability and conflict in the area, which all contribute to its high ranking. Afghanistan suffers from various crimes that include corruption, kidnapping, money laundering and other crimes such as robbery and assault.
- Haiti
The Caribbean country of Haiti has struggled with political stability, increasing gang warfare, and economic challenges. The biggest contributor to its high rank is the increasing number of homicides over the years, either from violent conflicts or intergang violence.
- South Africa
With a crime index rate of 75.5, unfortunately, our beautiful rainbow nation makes its appearance as one of the top 5 most dangerous countries. South Africa has a notably high rate of assaults, rape, homicides and other violent crimes, which all contribute to our rank on this list.
- Honduras
In 2012, Honduras was reported to have experienced about 20 homicides per day due to gang violence. Today, the country is still inflicted with violent crime caused by gangs, drug trafficking and almost nonexistent law enforcement to control the country’s notorious reputation of lawlessness.
- Trinidad and Tobago
This state faces several challenges caused by increased crime from gangs and drug-related crimes, which the government struggles to address. It takes the 7th spot on this list, and visitors to this country can become victims of pickpocketing, assault, theft and fraud.
- Syria
The conflict in Syria has led to increased crime, widespread corruption, and bribery, putting this Middle-Eastern country at 8th place on this list. It’s also become known for violent crimes such as kidnapping, assault, carjackings, and robberies.
- Guyana
The Northern South American country is small, sparsely populated, and Anglo-Caribbean. Due to the high murder rate, lack of law enforcement support for domestic violence, and frequency of armed robberies, this country has a high crime rate of 68.74. It ranks 9th on this list.
- Peru
Homicides, corruption, domestic violence, pickpocketing, and petty crimes have landed Peru at the 10th spot on this list of the most dangerous countries. Over the years, the crime rate in Peru has decreased, and with each year, they report decreasing rates of crime.
Are there any countries you were surprised made the list or some countries that did not make the list?
One thing we’ve noticed about this list is that as much as there are differences in crime rates among these countries, the crimes also vary by severity in each of these countries. This list of the 10 most dangerous countries above is not an entirely reliable guide on places you should not be or should not take your company to but is a useful starting point.
We’ve compiled a list of the most dangerous countries by region based on the likeliness of hijacking, robbery and theft, which are the most common crimes tourists and business travellers experience.
The most dangerous countries by region
Some of the countries on this list may be a few kilometres away from you, while others require you to cross borders or even take a flight to witness the dangers.
Our selected list of the most dangerous countries in the world is given by region and is based on the likeliness of theft crimes and the fear of theft crimes within the country. We use the Crime Index, and Safety Index from Numbeo as a data source.
Crime index – an estimate of the crime level in a given city or country. The rate is based on a survey of the general perception of crimes, safety levels, and concern about specific crimes. The rate also considers property crimes and violent crimes in the country. The higher the crime index, the more risk is perceived in the country, and the lower the index, the less crime is perceived and experienced.
Safety index – an estimate of how safe the city or country is, the higher the safety index, the safer a country is perceived to be.
We’ve focused on the level of crime and worries about different crimes, such as house break-ins, robberies, car theft and other thefts in these countries.
South Africa: The most dangerous country in Africa
Crime Index: 75.44
Safety Index: 24.56
South Africa has landed the number one spot for the most dangerous country on the continent based on the likeliness of theft. According to research by MSN News, Cape Town, Port-Elizabeth, Durban, Johannesburg, and Pretoria are the top five most dangerous cities in Africa. This is due to crimes such as theft, house break-ins, petty crimes, carjackings, and smash and grabs.
New Zealand: most dangerous country in Asia-Pacific Region
Crime Index: 47.72
Safety Index: 52.28
The rate of theft stats show that New Zealand reported the most thefts in 2020 among the island countries, and the number of victim-reported thefts increases annually. Petty crimes and theft are the most common types of crime in the country, and in cities like Auckland and Canterbury, vehicle theft has also been particularly high.
Jamaica: most dangerous country in Latin American & Caribbean Countries
Crime Index: 67.57
Safety Index 32.43
Jamaica is often believed to be unsafe because of the high homicide rates. In 2023 this country reported 60,9 murders per 100,000 people. These rates are largely due to gang violence and drug-related crimes. Petty crimes and a lack of police and law enforcement also make the country quite unsafe for tourists and travellers.
Belgium: most dangerous country in Europe
Crime Index: 49.49
Safety Index: 50.51
According to Statista, Latvia has the highest homicide rates, and this has landed Latvia in the first position as the most dangerous country in Europe. But a more recent statistic based on crime theft places Belgium, particularly the capital Brussels, as the city with the highest crime theft rate in Europe. Petty thefts, purse snatching and pickpocketing are the most common crimes in Belgium. In 2021, however, there was an increase in stolen bike and car theft crimes.
Syria: most dangerous country in Middle-East
Crime Index: 68.61
Safety Index: 31.39
This region is known for having the lowest theft crime rates compared to other countries in the world because of strict law enforcement measures and extreme penalties for crime. However, Syria has topped the list of the most dangerous countries in the region.
Honduras: most dangerous country in North America
Crime Index: 73.11
Safety Index: 26.89
Honduras has one of the world’s highest murder rates, making it one of the most dangerous countries. Crime such as armed robberies, carjackings, trafficking, and even bus jackings have also grown as an area of concern in the country. Government crime prevention tactics against gang violence and other organised crime have had little to no impact over the years, making it one of the countries with the lowest safety index.
Country Focus: Understanding the dangers in South Africa
South Africa is one of the most beautiful places in the world but somehow lands on the list of the most dangerous countries in the world. This might not be a shock to many of us, as we have become more fearful of crime in our country.
According to StatsSA, since 2021, South Africa has witnessed an increase in the number of household crimes such as house break-ins, home robberies, and vehicle theft. For businesses, the sudden increase in the number of cargo thefts and fuel thefts from trucks has also become a concern. The South African Police Services (SAPS) crime stats confirm the increase in these types of crimes.
But what are some things we could do to protect ourselves now that we know we live in one of the most dangerous countries?
Top tips for safe living in South Africa
- Secure your home
There are several services and products you can purchase in South Africa to protect the things you care about. For example, get insurance to protect your devices, such as TVs and cell phones. When your devices are insured your insurance company will pay out a certain amount to you to help you recover your loss and avoid suffering from a household crime or petty crime.In addition, adding an alarm system or aiming to live in a safer area is another way to add security to your life.
- Secure your vehicle
Add another level of security to your vehicle insurance. GPS tracking and stolen vehicle recovery (SVR) services from a company like Cartrack can help you get your car back. With carjackings and hijackings increasing every year, this is the best security you can get for your vehicle.
- Don’t be a target—be vigilant
Whether you are driving or simply walking down the street, avoid displaying your valuables, such as jewellery, cameras, and mobile phones so you are not the target of petty crime and other theft. Keep your handbag or backpack while driving or when parked to avoid a smash-and-grab.
Our top tips for doing business in South Africa
Running a fleet company in South Africa may seem a bit more tricky now. Here are two quick tips to secure your fleet in South Africa.
- Prevent fuel theft with fuel monitoring solutions
Fuel theft has become a growing concern in South Africa, and more businesses have reported concerns about fuel theft in their fleet. Businesses in transportation, mining, and manufacturing have also revealed decreasing fleet profitability and efficiency due to fuel theft. Cartrack’s fuel monitoring solution is one of the most strategic ways that you can protect your fleet from fuel theft, increasing expenses and other challenges relating to your business.
- Safeguard your drivers with GPS tracking
With GPS tracking and telematics, you can monitor your fleet and other company vehicles to protect drivers while they are out on the road. One of the latest innovations from Cartrack is a panic button for drivers to alert us and managers of any emergency or security issue.
For example, if there is an accident at one of your remote sites, your driver can use the panic button to alert our control room of the incident, and Cartrack can take action immediately.
Don’t live on the edge safety-wise. Let Cartrack give you peace of mind.
If you live in one of the most dangerous countries in the world, you are constantly worried about your safety.
There is global concern over increasing crime, but Cartrack has been committed to ensuring vehicle safety and fleet security since 2004.
Contact us here for our innovative tracking solutions.
