Where in the World Happen Most Murders

Intentional homicide — defined as an unlawful death inflicted with the intent to cause death or serious injury — is one of the most severe indicators of public safety and social stability. Rates vary dramatically across regions, with organized crime, drug trafficking, and armed gang activity among the primary drivers of elevated levels, particularly in parts of Central and South America. Women face a distinct pattern of risk: in many countries, the home is the most dangerous place, with intimate partner and family-related violence accounting for a disproportionate share of female homicides. Young men, meanwhile, are the group most affected by violent crime across all regions.

This interactive map shows intentional homicides per 100,000 people for most of the world's countries. Explore the year selector to see how rates have changed over time and hover over individual countries for details.

The data comes from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and is available from the World Bank website, where it is described as:

Intentional homicides per 100,000 people, compiled by the UNODC from criminal justice sources, World Health Organization public health data, and the UN Survey of Crime Trends. The UNODC defines homicide as an unlawful death purposefully inflicted on a person by another person, excluding deaths arising from armed conflict. Licensed under CC BY-4.0.