Number of homicides in Colombia 2023, by region

Antioquia and Valle del Cauca were the departments where most homicides were recorded in Colombia throughout 2023, with 2,316 and 1,746 murders respectively. By contrast, no homicide was registered in Guainía. In total, 13,515 homicides were recorded in Colombia.

Homicides

During 2023, Colombia ranked as the third South American country with the highest homicide rate, only behind the neighboring countries of Ecuador and Venezuela. Even though Colombia ranks quite high, the homicide rate has remained stable for the last decade, between 24 and 26.8 cases per each 100,000 inhabitants. The situation with crime, poverty, and drug trafficking stays as barriers to the betterment of peace for the citizens.  

How much does crime cost?  

Crime always takes a toll on the economic development of a country, adding to the insecurity and instability of the country. As a consequence, governments spend a lot to try to stop the further development of crime. For example, Colombia’s public spending on order and security increased 220 percent from 2010 to 2023. And the economic cost of violence is estimated at over 274 billion U.S. dollars per year.