The increase in crime rates in many cities around the world has led to the release of the list of the most violent cities in the world, 2023. According to the report by the Citizens’ Council for Public Security and Criminal Justice, Tijuana, Mexico is ranked as the most violent city in the world, with six of the ten cities on the list located in Latin America. Countries such as Honduras, Venezuela, and Colombia also have high levels of crime. The remaining cities on the top ten list are located in North America and Europe.
The ranking of the world’s most violent cities has been a subject of debate since its creation in 2008. However, a study released this year confirms the accuracy of the list. Despite the controversy surrounding the list, it serves as a reminder of the need for increased efforts to address the issue of crime and improve public safety in these cities.
Below are the 10 of the most violent cities in the world in 2022:
1. Tijuana – Mexico
Population: 2,049,413
Murder rate: 138 per 100,000 inhabitants
Tijuana, a city located in Mexico, has recently earned the title of being the most dangerous city in the world with an alarming homicide rate of 138 per 100,000 inhabitants. This rate has surpassed even cities known for war and conflict such as Baghdad, Donetsk in Ukraine, and Mogadishu in Somalia. The rise in the number of homicides is primarily attributed to the intense gang violence between rival drug cartels and sporadic acts of violence.
For years, the Mexican government has been grappling with the issue of violence in Tijuana and has taken several steps to curb it. In February 2017, President Enrique Pena Nieto declared a state of emergency in the city in response to the 125% increase in murders from the previous year. Despite allocating significant funds for security measures, the situation has only worsened.
It’s not just Tijuana, but many cities across Latin America are struggling with high homicide rates. However, Tijuana stands out as one of the most violent cities in the world.
2. Acapulco – Mexico
Population: 779,566
Murder rate: 111 per 100,000 inhabitants
Mexico City and Acapulco have been ranked as two of the most violent cities in the world. Acapulco has a homicide rate of 111 per 100,000 inhabitants, while Mexico City has an average of 2,000 homicides per year.
The majority of homicides in Acapulco can be traced back to drug trafficking and other forms of organized crime.
3. Caracas – Venezuela
Population: 2,682,801
Murder rate: 100 per 100,000 inhabitants
Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, has been identified as one of the most violent cities in the world. In 2013, there were 1,089 homicides reported, representing a 54% increase from the previous year. The violence in Caracas is alarmingly high, with a homicide rate almost five times higher than that of New York City.
Despite the efforts of the Venezuelan government, they have been unable to effectively address the issue and reduce the level of violence in the city.
4. Ciudad Victoria – Mexico
Population: 349,688
Murder rate: 86 per 100,000 inhabitants
Ciudad Victoria, located in Mexico, has gained notoriety as one of the most violent cities in the world with a staggering murder rate of 100 per 100,000 inhabitants. This high crime rate has earned it the reputation of being one of the most dangerous cities globally. In response to the situation, the government has taken strict security measures, such as installing metal detectors in public areas. The city also faces challenges such as low levels of education and economic development, which have contributed to the increase in crime.
5. Cuidad Juarez – Mexico
Population: 1,512,450
Murder rate: 86 per 100,000 inhabitants
Ciudad Juarez, located in Mexico, has gained notoriety as a city with alarmingly high levels of violence and is known to be one of the most violent cities in the world. The city regularly reports an average of 100 murders every month, which is a shocking statistic. This level of violence is higher than that of cities such as Baghdad, Afghanistan and Syria. In comparison to other cities in Latin America, Ciudad Juarez experiences three times more violence.
6. Irapuato – Mexico
Population: 866,370
Murder rate: 81 per 100,000 inhabitants
Irapuato, Mexico is a city known for its high levels of violence and crime and is known to be one of the most violent cities in the world. The city’s homicide rate was estimated to be 106 per 100,000 people in 2016, which is one of the highest rates in the world and places Irapuato as one of the most dangerous cities in terms of murders.
Furthermore, Irapuato also has a high rate of rape and robbery, with 70 and 172 reported incidents per 100,000 people respectively. These high crime rates make Irapuato a dangerous place and especially one of the most dangerous cities for both its residents and visitors.
7. Ciudad Guayana – Venezuela
Population: 758,490
Murder rate: 78 per 100,000 inhabitants
Ciudad Guayana, Venezuela has been deemed as one of the most violent cities in the world according to a study by the Global Peace Index. With a score of 161.5 points, the city was identified as the most dangerous in Venezuela and more violent than any other Venezuelan city, including Caracas, which ranked 41st on the list. The study assessed the levels of peace and violence in 75 cities worldwide and ranked them accordingly.
The high levels of violence in Ciudad Guayana are not limited to just that city, as it is a common issue throughout Venezuela. In fact, the country has been ranked second in terms of peacelessness in Latin America, with Honduras being the most peaceless country in the region. The high levels of violence and instability in Ciudad Guayana and Venezuela as a whole highlight the need for addressing safety and security concerns in the country.
8. Natal – Brazil
Population: 1,353,713
Murder rate: 75 per 100,000 inhabitants
Brazil has a high incidence of violent crime, earning it the distinction of being one of the most violent countries in the world. São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, and Belo Horizonte are among the cities in Brazil with the highest levels of violence. In 2016, São Paulo was recorded as having the highest homicide rate globally, with 144 murders per 100,000 inhabitants.
Rio de Janeiro was second in terms of homicides, with 131 murders per 100,000 people. Salvador was third, with a rate of 101 murders per 100,000 residents, followed by Belo Horizonte, with 89 murders per 100,000 inhabitants. These figures highlight the extent of violent crime in Brazil, particularly in its largest cities.
9. Fortaleza – Brazil
Population: 3,999,930
Murder rate: 69 per 100,000 inhabitants
Fortaleza, Brazil is considered one of the most violent cities in the country according to the Global Peace Index report. In 2014, the city recorded an average of 102 murders per 100,000 residents, which was significantly higher than the rate of Rio de Janeiro.
The study also showed that Fortaleza had an average of 162 robbery cases per 100,000 residents and 105 cases of assault per 100,000 residents. In comparison, Sao Paulo had lower rates of violent crime, with an average of 34 murders per 100,000 residents, 54 robbery cases per 100,000 residents, and 97 cases of assault per 100,000 residents. These statistics reflect the high levels of violent crime in Fortaleza, making it a concerning issue for the safety of its residents.
10. Ciudad Bolivar – Venezuela
Population: 370,627
Murder rate: 69 per 100,000 inhabitants
Ciudad Bolivar is considered to be one of the most violent cities in the world, according to the 2018 Global Peace Index. The index assesses the level of peace in a country based on factors such as the rate of homicides, military expenditure, and the presence of terrorist activities. Ciudad Bolivar has a homicide rate of 69 per 100,000 individuals, which is over three times higher than any other city in Venezuela.
Additionally, the city is among the top five cities with the highest levels of militarization worldwide. Furthermore, Ciudad Bolivar is a hub for terrorist organizations, including El Nacional and Los Comandos Urbanos. These factors contribute to the high levels of violence and unrest in the city, making it one of the most dangerous places in the world.
Conclusion
The cities with the highest levels of violence and crime are primarily found in South America, Africa, and the Middle East. These regions contain a significant number of the world’s poorest and most disadvantaged populations, which results in high rates of crime. While North America, Europe, and Oceania are experiencing a decrease in overall violence, some of their cities still remain dangerous. As countries and their citizens become more prosperous, crime rates tend to decline.
In conclusion, our findings indicate that the most dangerous cities in terms of crime are located in South America, Africa, and the Middle East. This is due to a number of factors including poverty, conflict, and drug trafficking. In contrast, cities in Europe and Asia tend to have lower crime rates, making them safer places to live.
