El Salvador has the unfortunate title of being the country with the highest murder rate in the world, with a rate of 61.7 murders per 100,000 people. Factors contributing to this high rate include gang violence, drug trafficking, political instability, and a lack of effective law enforcement.
1. Iceland. Iceland, the land of fire and ice, is also the safest country in the world according to the Global Peace Index. With a low homicide rate, low level of violent crime, and limited access to small arms, Iceland is truly a peaceful country for its residents and visitors.
Memphis, Tennessee
The most dangerous city in America is Memphis, Tennessee. With a population of 628,127, Memphis has a crime rate that is 237% higher than the national average. Memphis has 7,913 crimes per 100,000 people, with an exceptionally high violent crime rate.
Overall, the national homicide rate has dropped steadily from a rate of 1.88 per 100,000 people in 1992-93 to 0.82 in 2020-21 – a decrease of 55% over nearly 30 years.
The homicide rate in Australia in 2021 was 0.86 per 100,000, which was lower than New Zealand's 1.0 per 100,000 and 1.3 per 100,000 in the United Kingdom. In comparison to North America in 2021, the United States and Canada had homicide rates of 3.8 and 2.2 per 100,000, respectively.
The crime rate in Australia is much lower than in the United States of America. As Australia ranks 47th while the USA ranks on 30th according to their crime rates. It is so rare for police officers to carry guns due to the low crime rate.
1. Canberra – Australia's Capital City. Nestled between Sydney and Melbourne, Canberra is not only the capital but also Australia's safest city. With a low crime rate and a small-town vibe, Canberra offers an attractive blend of city living and peaceful suburban life.
In 2020 there were 1,093 road deaths in Australia (source: Department for Transport). This equates to 4.3 road deaths per 100,000 of population and compares to the UK average of 2.3 road deaths per 100,000 of population in 2020.
12 Safest Countries in The World: 2023 Edition
Iceland takes the GPI crown for the safest country in the world, followed by New Zealand, Ireland, Denmark, and Austria in the top five.
Qatar has the lowest crime rate in the world, followed by the UAE, according to Numbeo statistics. According to the Global Peace Index, Iceland is the safest country in the world for the 14th year in a row. Iceland is a Nordic nation with a relatively small population of 340,000.
In 2021, number of homicides for Australia was 193. Though Australia number of homicides fluctuated substantially in recent years, it tended to decrease through 2002 - 2021 period ending at 193 in 2021. The description is composed by our digital data assistant.
The most prolific modern serial killer is arguably doctor Harold Shipman, with 218 probable murders and possibly as many as 250 (see "Medical professionals", below). However, he was actually convicted of a sample of 15 murders.
Western Australia had one of the highest victimisation rates recorded for this offence across the available states and territories.
Crime rate in Australia – an overview
These declining Australia crime rates can be attributed to factors such as a reduction in alcohol abuse amongst young people (in response to rising alcohol prices), and the fall in heroin dependence, amongst many others.
Australia is a very safe country to visit. The country has a stable political system and a low crime rate, and Australians generally experience a safe lifestyle.
In 2021, the National Australian Bank's study, 'Life in the Lucky Country', found that 94 per cent of Australians still find this island nation a great place to live.
Is Canada Safer Than Australia? Canada and Australia are considered safe countries with low crime rates. However, Canada has a lower crime index and a higher rate of safety for walking alone at night, according to numbeo.com.
One of the most prevalent crimes in Australia is sexual assault, with the largest proportion of victims being female.
Theft was the most common type of crime, accounting for 43% of all reported offenses in 2019-2020.