Saint Kitts and Nevis saw a murder rate of 65 per 100,000 inhabitants, making it the most dangerous country for this kind of crime worldwide as of 2023. Interestingly, El Salvador, who long had the highest global homicide rates, has dropped out of the top 20 after a high number of gang members have been incarcerated. Meanwhile, Celaya in Mexico was the most dangerous city for murders.
Violent conflicts worldwide
Notably, these figures do not include deaths that resulted from war or a violent conflict. While there is a persistent number of conflicts worldwide, resulting casualties are not considered murders. Partially due to this reason, homicide rates in Latin America are higher than those in Afghanistan or Syria. A different definition of murder in these circumstances could change the rate significantly in some countries.
Causes of death
Also noteworthy is that murders are usually not random events. In the United States, the circumstances of murders are most commonly arguments, followed by narcotics incidents and robberies. Additionally, murders are not a leading cause of death. Heart diseases, strokes and cancer pose a greater threat to life than violent crime.
Ranking of the most dangerous countries in the world in 2023, by murder rate
(per 100,000 inhabitants)
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Ranking of the most dangerous countries in the world in 2023, by murder rate
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World Population Review, & InSight Crime. (February 21, 2024). Ranking of the most dangerous countries in the world in 2023, by murder rate (per 100,000 inhabitants) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved January 29, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/262963/ranking-the-20-countries-with-the-most-murders-per-100-000-inhabitants/
World Population Review, und InSight Crime. "Ranking of the most dangerous countries in the world in 2023, by murder rate (per 100,000 inhabitants)." Chart. February 21, 2024. Statista. Accessed January 29, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/262963/ranking-the-20-countries-with-the-most-murders-per-100-000-inhabitants/
World Population Review, InSight Crime. (2024). Ranking of the most dangerous countries in the world in 2023, by murder rate (per 100,000 inhabitants). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: January 29, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/262963/ranking-the-20-countries-with-the-most-murders-per-100-000-inhabitants/
World Population Review, and InSight Crime. "Ranking of The Most Dangerous Countries in The World in 2023, by Murder Rate (per 100,000 Inhabitants)." Statista, Statista Inc., 21 Feb 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/262963/ranking-the-20-countries-with-the-most-murders-per-100-000-inhabitants/
World Population Review & InSight Crime, Ranking of the most dangerous countries in the world in 2023, by murder rate (per 100,000 inhabitants) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/262963/ranking-the-20-countries-with-the-most-murders-per-100-000-inhabitants/ (last visited January 29, 2025)
Ranking of the most dangerous countries in the world in 2023, by murder rate (per 100,000 inhabitants) [Graph], World Population Review, & InSight Crime, February 21, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/262963/ranking-the-20-countries-with-the-most-murders-per-100-000-inhabitants/
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