Venezuela has been ranked as the most crime-ridden country in the world, scoring 82.1 on the Crime Index, according to a recent report by World Facts. The report, which measures crime levels across various nations, places Papua New Guinea (80.4) and Afghanistan (78.4) in second and third positions, respectively.
Other countries in the top five include Haiti (78.3) and South Africa (75.5), underscoring the security challenges faced by these nations. The index reflects factors such as violent crime, organized crime, and law enforcement effectiveness.
Nigeria ranks 14th in global crime index
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, was ranked 14th globally with a crime index of 65.8. The country has struggled with security issues, including banditry, terrorism, kidnapping, and cybercrime, contributing to its high ranking.
Among African nations, South Africa leads in crime rates, followed by Nigeria (14th globally), Kenya (34th), Uganda (36th), Algeria (50th), and Egypt (65th).
Global trends: Western nations and low-crime countries
The United States is placed 57th (49.2) on the index, while France (38th), the United Kingdom (66th), and Germany (98th) also feature in the rankings.
Some of the world’s safest countries include:
- Taiwan (16.1, 142nd)
- United Arab Emirates (14.6, 143rd)
- Qatar (14.3, 144th), which ranks as the least crime-ridden nation.
Crime and governance challenges
The report suggests that political instability, weak law enforcement, and economic hardship contribute to higher crime rates. Countries with better governance structures, such as Switzerland (24.9, 130th) and Singapore (23.1, 136th), maintain lower crime rates.
With crime levels remaining a pressing issue globally, experts argue that investment in policing, social development, and economic reforms is key to reducing crime, particularly in high-risk nations like Venezuela, Nigeria, and South Africa.
Source: World Facts @worldfacts06
