Crime rates are influenced by a number of factors, including poverty, unemployment and the strictness of law enforcement. Countries such as Venezuela, Papua New Guinea and South Africa have high crime rates due to problems such as corruption, economic changes and social challenges. Low crime rates in countries such as Switzerland and Japan are attributed to effective law enforcement and, in some cases, restrictive gun laws.
Ranking
- Venezuela (82.10)
- Papua New Guinea (80.40)
- Afghanistan (78.40)
- Haiti (78.30)
- South Africa (75.50)
- Honduras (74.30)
- Trinidad and Tobago (70.80)
- Syria (69.10)
- Guyana (68.80)
- Peru (67.50)
*All numerical rates are expressed per 100,000 people.
Venezuela
Venezuela has a crime rate of 83.76, the highest in the world. The US State Department has issued a level 4 travel warning for Venezuela, indicating that it is not safe to travel to the country and that travellers should not do so. Venezuela’s high crime rates are attributed to government corruption, a weak judicial system and a breakdown in the rule of law.
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea has a crime rate of 80.79. In Papua New Guinea, crime, especially violent crime, is mainly driven by rapid social, economic and political change. Raskol gangs engage in small and large-scale criminal activities and are mainly made up of members with little education and few employment opportunities. Organised crime in the form of corruption is also common in the major cities and is a major contributor to the high crime rate. In addition, Papua New Guinea’s geography makes it attractive for drug and human trafficking.
Afghanistan
Afghanistan is the fourth most crime-ridden country in the world. Crime is present in various forms, such as corruption, murder, drug trafficking, kidnapping and money laundering. Afghanistan supplied 85% of the world’s illicit opium in 2020. The Taliban, who regained control of the country in 2021, have pledged to end the opium industry, but it is such a vital part of the struggling country’s economy that it will be difficult to eliminate. Widespread unemployment adds additional fuel to much of the country’s crime, such as robbery and assault.
Haiti
Increased violence, the growing power of criminal gangs and the availability of weapons have led to an increase in extortion and protection rackets, causing small businesses to cease operations. Gangs are involved in political and fundraising activities through extortion of businessmen and notables in their territories, especially targeting businesses that use the ports. Violence in Haiti is at an all-time high, as lawlessness has resulted in gangs gaining power and territory, becoming the de facto authorities in some areas where the state is unable to provide protection or assistance. Refusal to pay extortion fees has led to brutal killings in Port-au-Prince.
South Africa
South Africa has the third highest crime rate in the world. South Africa has a remarkably high rate of assaults, rapes, murders and other violent crimes. This has been attributed to a number of factors, including high levels of poverty, inequality, unemployment and social exclusion, and the normalisation of violence. South Africa has one of the highest rape rates in the world. More than 1 in 4 men surveyed by the South African Medical Research Council admitted to committing rape.
Honduras
With a crime rate of 74.54, Honduras has the fifth highest crime rate in the world. Honduras’ violent crime peak was in 2012, where the country experienced around 20 homicides a day, usually carried out by armed gangs such as Barrio 18 or Mara Salvatrucha. Honduras is also considered a major drug route to the United States. Weak domestic law enforcement has made the country an easy entry point for illegal drug trafficking. The US State Department has issued a level 3 travel warning for Honduras, indicating that travellers should reconsider visiting the country.
Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago has the sixth highest crime rate in the world. The government of Trinidad and Tobago faces several challenges in its efforts to reduce crime, including bureaucratic resistance to change, the negative influence of gangs, drugs, economic recession and an overburdened judicial system. There is also a high demand for illegal weapons, which drug trafficking and gang-related activities fuel. Trinidad and Tobago has a level 2 travel warning, which means travellers should exercise extra caution. Visitors are often victims of pickpocketing, mugging, robbery and fraud.
Syria
Extortion and blackmail for protection in Syria are often interconnected with geopolitical developments. As a result of territorial disputes, opposition militias have extorted money by taxing businesses and civilians in areas under their control in exchange for ‘services’ or ‘protection’. The most well-known form of extortion occurs through the misuse of zakat, normally a charitable donation considered a religious obligation in Islam, but exploited by militias through the so-called zakat tax. Almost all trade and road transport in the country is also subject to regular extortion.
Guyana
Guyana has the eighth highest crime rate in the world, at 68.74, and a homicide rate roughly four times that of the United States. Despite the stringent licensing requirement to own firearms, the use of guns by criminals is common. Domestic violence occurs regularly in Guyana, as enforcement of domestic violence laws is weak. Armed robberies are also common, especially in Georgetown. In addition, tourists are often victims of hotel robberies, muggings and assaults.
Peru
Peru is a source and destination country for trafficking in persons, with domestic demand being the main driver. Despite efforts to combat it, COVID-19 restrictions have made it difficult to identify and prevent trafficking, leading to new forms of exploitation using digital technology. Criminal networks target vulnerable Venezuelan women, paying their transportation, accommodation and living expenses to force them into prostitution and pay fees. Women and children, especially indigenous children, are the most frequent victims. Corruption among officials aggravates this criminal market. Trafficking is most prevalent in areas near illegal mining operations. Tourists from the United States and Europe also contribute to the problem, exploiting victims in popular tourist areas such as Cuzco, Lima and the Peruvian Amazon.
Crime Rate By Country 2021. (s/f). Worldpopulationreview.com. Recuperado el 11 de noviembre de 2021, de https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/crime-rate-by-country
