Statista, a leading global statistics portal, provides comprehensive data on various topics, including crime rates worldwide.
According to their latest report, the ranking of the most dangerous cities in the world is based on the murder rate per 100,000 inhabitants. This metric offers a standardized way to compare the prevalence of homicides across different urban areas.
Here is the list of the 10 most dangerous cities in the world, ranked from 10 to 1:
10. Ciudad Juárez, Mexico
Ciudad Juárez, bordering El Paso, Texas, remains a hub of cartel violence. In 2024, its homicide rate stood at 77.43 per 100,000. The city is a key drug trafficking corridor, fueling conflicts among rival groups. Despite military patrols and federal crackdowns, corruption and economic struggles perpetuate insecurity. The U.S. State Department frequently warns travelers of heightened risks in this border region.
9. Mandela Bay, South Africa
Mandela Bay, or Port Elizabeth, recorded a homicide rate of 78.33 per 100,000. Widespread poverty, gang violence, and easy access to illegal firearms drive crime. South Africa’s high unemployment rate exacerbates the situation, with robberies and carjackings frequently reported. Local initiatives and policing reforms have yet to make a significant impact on the rising violence.
8. Guayaquil, Ecuador
Guayaquil, Ecuador’s largest port city, has seen a homicide surge, reaching 88.82 per 100,000. Gang-related violence has escalated, largely due to the city’s role in international drug trafficking. Prisons remain hotspots for organized crime activity, with inmates coordinating attacks outside. The government declared a state of emergency in response to the worsening security crisis.
7. Zacatecas, Mexico
Zacatecas recorded 88.99 homicides per 100,000 in 2025. Once known for its cultural heritage, the city is now engulfed in cartel warfare between factions of the Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation Cartels. Shootings and disappearances are routine, forcing many residents to flee. Federal forces have intervened, but sustained peace remains elusive.
6. Tijuana, Mexico
With 91.76 murders per 100,000, Tijuana remains one of Mexico’s most violent cities. Its proximity to the U.S. border makes it a critical drug smuggling hub. Cartel rivalries, kidnappings, and extortion are rampant. Despite increased police presence, violence continues to impact daily life, with tourists advised to remain vigilant.
5. Manzanillo, Mexico
A strategic port for drug shipments, Manzanillo saw 102.58 homicides per 100,000. Violence escalated as rival groups fight for control over maritime smuggling routes. The city’s high crime rates impact both residents and its economy, as shipping and tourism sectors struggle with security concerns. Federal interventions have had limited success in stabilizing the region.
4. Zamora, Mexico
Zamora, with a murder rate of 105.13 per 100,000, remains plagued by cartel violence. Located in Michoacán, the city is a battleground for drug trade disputes. Kidnappings and extortion have increased, leaving residents in constant fear. While authorities have deployed security forces, cartel influence over local institutions hampers crime-fighting efforts.
3. Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Port-au-Prince recorded 117.24 homicides per 100,000 in 2024. The city has descended into chaos as gangs dominate entire neighborhoods. Political instability and economic collapse fuel violence, with kidnappings and assassinations becoming commonplace. The Haitian government, struggling with a weak security apparatus, has been unable to curb escalating crime rates.
2. Ciudad Obregón, Mexico
Ciudad Obregón, with a murder rate of 155.77 per 100,000, faces cartel battles for control of drug routes. The city sees frequent assassinations and armed confrontations, endangering civilians. Many businesses have closed due to extortion threats, and public trust in law enforcement remains low. Government operations to dismantle criminal networks have had little lasting effect.
1. Colima, Mexico
Colima, ranked as the most dangerous city globally in 2024, recorded an alarming 181.94 homicides per 100,000. Once a tranquil coastal city, it has become a hotbed of cartel conflicts. The violence stems from its strategic location for Pacific drug shipments. Armed confrontations and attacks on officials are frequent. Efforts to curb the bloodshed have so far failed, solidifying Colima’s place at the top of this grim ranking.
