The Most Dangerous Cities In The World 2024: Top 15 (Most Violent)

The most dangerous cities in the world in 2024 are cities with high murder rates. They are cities you could go out and you may never know when you can get hurt. 

This means you have to be extremely watchful if you find yourself in these cities. And if you do not have any important things to do in these cities, it is advisable not to go there. 

These are the most dangerous cities in the world 2024: top 15 and they are, 

• Tijuana
• Acapulco
• Caracas
• Ciudad Victoria
• Ciudad Juarez
• Irapuato
• Ciudad Guayana
• Natal
• Fortaleza
• Ciudad Bolivar
• Cape town
• Belém
• Cancún
• Feira de Santana
• St. Louis

Check them out and at the end of this article, there are safety tips you need to know.

Keep reading!

1. Tijuana - The Most Dangerous City in the World  

Image credit: Bisnow

Country: Mexico

Crime rate: 138 killings per 100,000 residents

Population: 2,221,000

This city has high killings, and in previous years, on average about 2500 killings happened which is about 6 people per day are being killed. 

And this crime rate continues to spike. It is Mexico's most violent city and of course the most dangerous city in the world in 2024. 

According to law enforcement officials, the city's local drug trade is the cause of the violence, which is seen in the frequent clashes between residents in specific neighborhoods. 

Also, due to drug trafficking, drug dealers are fighting on routes from the city to the United States which results in many killings. 

With this, about 80 percent of people living here do not feel safe according to Mexico’s Public Safety Agency.

2. Acapulco                             

Image credit: Microstar

Country: Mexico

Crime rate: 111 killings per 100,000 residents

Population: 1,005,000

This city is found in Guerrero, one of the poorest states in Mexico. Mexico is one of the American favorite tourist destinations because it is a country rich in magnificent beaches, ancient ruins, and others.  

However, this city is so dangerous that many people are not going on vacation there anymore because of the high homicide rate. 

On August 17, 2022, the U.S. State Department warned Americans considering visiting there against doing so. For example, two tourists were killed in the last fall few months, and not too long after that, another incident happens. 

Gunmen arrived by boat at the area in which tourists were hidden because there was a shooting that results in deaths. The city has been so violent for years now because Cartels are controlling everywhere in the city. 

3. Caracas                               

Image credit: George Miquilena

Country: Venezuela

Crime rate: 100 killings per 100,000 residents

Population: 2,957,000

Venezuela has experienced a high crime rate recently and Caracas is its most dangerous city and certainly one of the most violent cities in the world. 

It is Venezuela's capital city and it is often referred to as the most dangerous capital city. It is a city you cannot trust anyone, even people in uniforms. 

People are killed here for their belongings such as phones and jewelry. Taking out your seemingly expensive phone or camera to take pictures will put you at risk here for being robbed or killed. 

There is no place in Caracas that is safe from robbers, including movie theaters and public transport. Traffic can be frightening here too as robbers use motorcycles in taking people's stuff using gun-toting. 

If you visit this city as a foreigner, spending hard currency at a local pub or bar will put you at risk. In fact, people can get killed for anything, such as shoes and even pants. 

So you travel here and look like a tourist, you might get hit. One of the things that contributed to the high crime rate here is the high poverty rate from low employment. 

"Murder, robbery, and kidnapping are just a few of the high-profile violent crimes that are famously performed around the city at all hours of the day and night in Caracas", based on the information from the United States Department of State Bureau of Diplomatic Security.

4. Ciudad Victoria                     

Night view. Image credit: Armando Aguayo Rivera from Cd. Victoria Tamaulipas, México

Country: Mexico

Crime: 86 killings per 100,000 residents

Population: 374,000

It is the capital city of Tamaulipas, a Mexican state. It is one of the most violent crimes in cities on earth war does happen frequently between mob gangs and cartels. 

Also, shootings happen as well between police and cartel. Prison in this city is not safe as well as there is fighting in prison. From the data above, it is undoubtedly one of the top most dangerous cities in the world. 

The crime level has increased over the years. During the day, people feel moderately safe while walking at night is extremely dangerous.

5. Ciudad Juarez                      

Image credit: ONEOKROCKmx

Country: Mexico

Crime: 86 killings per 100,000 residents

Population: 1,561,000

In history, this city is notorious for intense violence relating to drug trafficking. The rate of homicide in this city annually is higher than the number of deaths that occur in the Syrian civil war. 

It might not be the number one most dangerous city in the world, but it is highly violent. In fact, today some neighborhoods as a whole have been abandoned because of the brutal drug wars between rival cartels.

The city was formerly not like this, it was peaceful not until drug-related violent starts when cartels are fighting over territories. You would not like to walk alone in this city, since you will not feel safe.

6. Irapuato                             

Image credit: Davelapo555

Country: Mexico

Crime: 81 killings per 100,000 residents

Population: 468,000

It is a beautiful city located in central Mexico. It is recognized for its abundant strawberry crops and its colonial downtown is nice. 

Nonetheless, the high crime rate in the city makes it one of the worst cities to live in, in the world today. Being among the most dangerous cities in the world as the number of murder continue to rise. 

Not only that, property crimes are very rampant here such as vandalism and theft. It is a symbol that crime rates continue to increase in Mexico as a country. 

For example in the city, there are more than 400 cases of murder some years back. The year 2000 to 2014, was the worst years this city experienced the most bloodshed caused by turf wars between different group of cartels. 

7. Ciudad Guayana                       

Image credit: Talcualdigital.com

Country: Venezuela

Crime: 78 killings per 100,000 residents

Population: 950,000

The inhabitant of this city suffers from poverty, which poses a challenge to the security of the city. Residents cannot walk freely at night and they can get killed for carrying valuable things. 

Every day, several violent crimes occur, and many citizens resolved to engage in the criminal act too, thinking it is a way out of poverty. 

More to that are illegal gold mines that occur in this city, hoping that this will also stop them from experiencing poverty. 

This sometimes too results in crimes. If you are planning to travel here, you have to be watchful as tourists are sometimes targets of these violent people.

8. Natal                                 

Image credit:  Roberto Faccenda

Country: Brazil

Crime: 75 killings per 100,000 residents

Population: 1,512,000

It is the most dangerous city in brazil and of course one of the top most dangerous city in the world. Killings and theft never stop which makes the city deadly. 

If you go out you may end up in the middle of a gunfight. In most areas, public transport can be safe but generally, in the city, public transport is unsafe. 

The worst economic recession in the country leads to an increase in low unemployment and all this brings about negative effects. 

As a result too, rates of homicides continue to increase. It is a violent city, but there are actual bad spots famous for crimes, and such areas needed to be avoided. 

9. Fortaleza                         

Image credit: ME/Portal da Copa

Country: Brazil

Crime: 69 killings per 100,000

Population: 4,164,000

Fortaleza is one of the safest capitals not until the 1999s, becomes one of the most deadly capital. 

The case of Fortaleza is a terrible and frightening example of how a lack of effective criminal justice and law enforcement together with high rates of inequality can create an ideal environment for the investments of drug and weapon trafficking in new "lucrative markets." 

Between 2000 and the beginning of 2010, the murder rate in this city increased by an astounding 300% to 400%. 

Drug abuse made many poor individuals indebted and afraid for their lives, making them easier targets for drug warlord recruiting. All this brings this city to the list of the most dangerous cities in the world in 2024. 

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10. Ciudad Bolívar                        

Image credit: Venecon at English Wikipedia

Country: Venezuela

Crime: 69 killings per 100,000 residents

Population: 413,000

It is previously known as St. Thomas de Guyana and Angostura. It is the Venezuela's southeastern Bolívar estado State capital. It has a beautiful landscape with the narrowness of the Orinoco River. 

It is a city known for exports of timber, diamonds, gold, horses, cattle, skins, and hides. However, crime rates continue to rise in Ciudad Bolivar for the past three years. 

Thefts, harm robbery, and mugging continue to cause lots of anxiety in residents' lives because most times it leads to killings. In the city, after sunset, everywhere is deserted as people avoid moving about around 8 pm. 

11. Cape Town                        

Image credit:  Cocoparisienne / Pixabay

Country: South Africa

Crime: 66 killings per 100,000 residents

Population: 4,801,000

It is the most popular city in South Africa and one of the most dangerous cities in the world.  As the crime rate shows, it has high rates of murder, robbery, and vandalism. 

You might feel a measure of safety during the day, but when it is getting dark, you do not walk alone as no good things happen at midnight. Not all part of the city is dangerous; the dangerous part includes the western cape. 

There are issues with gangsterism which is associated with a shoot-out between gangs murder, theft, violence, house break-ins, hi-jacking, and theft of vehicles all this makes the city violent. 

Many of these criminal activities are fuelled by poverty, unemployment, and homelessness as people think the only they can survive is through criminal acts. If you are to travel to this city, it is important that you do not dress like a tourist but as a local. 

That means no designer clothes, no fancy watches, no cameras, and no jewelry. And avoid carrying huge amounts of cash with you.

12. Belém                                

Image credit: Cayambe

Country: Brazil 

Crime: 67 killings per 100,000 residents

Population: 2,385,000

It is a beautiful but dangerous city. There are lots of narrow roads and old buildings here. There are reports of drug-fuelled crime. The city is very dangerous especially at night to wander about. 

Guamá is one of the most violent neighborhoods in the city. Killings do happen unpredictably, It happened that on one Sunday, people witness the killing of 11 people by masked assailants. 

You don't walk around here with valuables. Do not be alone in places like national parks. And be mindful of where you swim. 

13. Cancún                               

Image credit: Mexicancaribbean.travel

Country: Mexico

Crime: 65 killings per 100,000 residents

Population: 998,000

There are dangerous places here, but well-populated places like downtown Cancun are better. Precautions need to be taken by people living here. 

As we can see from the data above, in terms of violence and crime, there has been an uptick lately, so it is important to remain alert here. 

The cause seems to be a fight between cartels trying to take over the plazas downtown. Killings do happen as well when police try to fight or try to control gangs fighting. 

14. Feira de Santana                    

Image credit: Andrevruas

Country: Brazil

Crime: 63 killings per 100,000 residents

Population: 619,804

It is a city located in northeastern Brazil, Bahia estado (state). It is one of the state city commercial centers. It is known for its cattle fairs and for export as skins, belts, and charqui (jerked beef). 

The agricultural product in this city includes maize, beans, and cassava. There are industries in this city that produce, tires, bicycles, furniture, and ceramic tiles. 

Even at this, the city is one of the most dangerous in the world in 2023 because of income inequality. It is not a safe city as the homicide rate and other awful crimes continue to increase. 

15. St. Louis                           

Image credit: Daniel Schwen

Country: United States

Crime: 61 killings per 100,000 residents

Population: 298,034

It is one of the most dangerous cities in the USA and certainly one of the most dangerous in the world in 2024. It is a city with a low population, and yet its homicide rate is very high. Crimes are related to drugs here. 

Poverty is high in this city which is intertwined with the use of drugs. There are nice areas in this city, however, there are terrible places too. It is a city with a long history of crimes. 

Safety Tips

1. Do not display your valuable belongings in your vehicle or when using public transportation as that will attract people to you. Valuable belongings such as your pieces of jewelry, watches, car keys, and the like should be kept and not flaunted.

2. Do not count your cash in public.

3. Get to know your neighbours.

4. If you find yourself in a bad neighbourhood, walk quickly and act in a way that shows you know exactly where you are going, that is, you look confidiently.

5. Carrying protection like pepper spray can sometimes be useful.

6. If possible, avoid going to this areas. 

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