These are the Most Dangerous Countries in Africa, 2020

South Africa has been ranked as the most dangerous country in Africa, according to Numbeo’s 2020 crime index released recently and seen by listwand.

Among the 15 African Countries ranked South Africa Namibia, Angola Nigeria and Libya all made the top 5 most dangerous countries in Africa.

The Numbeo Crime Index is a perceptions index based on survey responses, where users were asked to score the level of crime in their country and city from bad (-2) to good (+2), where 0 is average.

The survey of in excess of 77,000 people, deals with citizens’ levels of fear around violent crimes, property being stolen, hate crimes based on ethnicity or religion, and even corruption and bribery.

As a perceptions index, it does not deal with actual crime stats, but rather how safe and secure citizens feel in their cities, with the safety index asking how safe they feel walking alone during the day and at night.

Top 10 Most Dangerous Countries in Africa, 2020

1. South Africa

Crime Index: 77.49

South Africa has very high crime levels (South African cities also dominate the city rankings) with a crime rating of 77.49 out of a possible crime score of 100, according to Numbeo as of January 2020. Armed robbery, sexual assault, arson, drug dealing, Xenophobia, house break-ins, carjackings, and car theft are some crimes that are rife in South Africa.

2. Namibia

Crime Index: 67.21

Namibia is the second most dangerous country to live in Africa, according to Numbeo. As of January 2020, Numbeo rated the crime in Namibia at 67.21 out of a possible crime score of 100, indicating it as being high.

3. Angola

Crime Index: 64.97

Crime in Angola rose by 57% in 2018. The National Police report shows a significant increase compared to the previous year, with 72,174 crimes, 5,199 of which with firearms. The report shows that out of 11,762 assault and battery crimes, 9,842 were deemed aggravated. Numbeo rated the crime in Angola at 64.97 out of a possible crime score of 100, indicating it as being high.

4. Nigeria

Crime Index: 63.77

Nigeria is Africa’s largest country in terms of population, with an estimated population of over 200 million people. Armed robbery, drug dealing, Kidnapping for ransom, car theft, terrorism and Police brutality are some crimes that are rife in Nigeria.
Numbeo ranks crime levels in Nigeria as being high, achieving a 63.77 out of a possible crime score of 100 as of January 2020.

5. Libya

Crime Index: 62.19

There’s a very high risk of criminal kidnap for ransom in areas like Tripoli and coastal towns to the West of Tripoli and also an elevated risk of kidnap for ransom and arbitrary detention by local militias throughout Libya.

6. Kenya

Crime Index: 61.66

There is a high rate of crime in all regions of Kenya, particularly in Nairobi. However, the most common crime in Kenya is carjacking so the criminal can commit an armed robbery. Bag snatching and other petty crime is common around transport hubs.

7. Uganda

Crime Index: 59.00

According to a US State report, Violent crime , such as armed robbery, home invasion, kidnapping, and sexual assault, is common, especially in larger cities including Kampala and Entebbe.
Numbeo rated the crime in Angola at 59.00 out of a possible crime score of 100, indicating it as being moderate.

8. Tanzania

Crime Index: 58.95

Street crime is common in Tanzania especially in the former capital ‘Dar es Salaam’ where mugging, bag snatching, vehicle theft, “smash and grab” attacks on vehicles, armed robbery, burglary, and home invasions are common.
Numbeo rated the crime in Namibia at 58.95 out of a possible crime score of 100, indicating it as being moderate.

9. Somalia

Crime Index: 58.50

With an estimated population of 15 million, Somalia is the second most populated country in the horn of Africa. Crime levels are said to be moderate in the country, with Numbeo giving the city a rating of 58.50 out of a possible crime score of 100.

10. Zimbabwe

Crime Index: 57.47

Although the majority of crimes in Zimbabwe are non-violent, perpetrators are generally armed with weapons, which can include firearms. The downtown sector of Harare and its high density residential suburbs are particularly high-crime areas. Most incidents are crimes of opportunity, targeting people carrying bags, empty houses, vandalism. Numbeo rated the crime in Zimbabwe at 57.47 out of a possible crime score of 100, indicating it as being moderate.

11. Botswana

Crime Index: 53.49

There is considerable risk of crime in the capital ‘Gaborone’. Where Criminal incidents, particularly crimes of opportunity such as purse snatchings, smash-and-grabs from parked cars and in traffic, residential burglaries can occur regardless of location. Theft of mobile phones, laptop computers, and other mobile devices are also common. Numbeo rated the crime in Botswana at 53.49 out of a possible crime score of 100, indicating it as being moderate.

12. Algeria

Crime Index: 49.81

There is moderate risk from crime in Algiers. While the government does not publish crime statistics, media and anecdotal reporting indicate that the frequency and intensity of criminal activity remains moderate.

The most common crimes tend to be crimes of opportunity (pickpocketing, purse snatching, burglaries, and similar crimes) perpetrated by criminals who operate primarily in high-traffic and high-density areas.

13. Ethiopia

Crime Index: 49.21

Ethiopian criminals are not known to be violent; crime in Ethiopia is normally opportunistic, non-violent and non-confrontational.
Numbeo rated the crime in Ethiopia at 49.21 out of a possible crime score of 100, indicating it as being moderate.

14. Ghana

Crime Index: 48.97

Ghanaian criminals are not known to be violent, but criminal activity does occur and can range from incidents of petty crime to opportunistic crime, to violent crime such as robbery, burglary, kidnappings and serious assault that can include the use of weapons.

15. Morocco

Crime Index: 48.69

The most common crimes are petty crimes, such as pickpocketing, theft from unoccupied vehicles, robbery, purse snatching, and burglary. Criminals focus on high-traffic and high-density areas such as tourist sites, markets, medinas, and festivals.
Also Due to the low availability of firearms within Morocco, violent crimes tend to be committed with edged weapons such as knives and occasionally swords.

Methodology

Numbeo’s multi-factorial analyses take into account such considerations as people feelings on the level of crime therein, recent changes in crime levels, safety walking alone, fears of muggings or robberies, vehicular security, perceived threat of assault and/or battery, being annoyed, harassed, insulted, or solicited by locals, racial, ethnic, and religious intolerance, and the threat of property theft.

Crime Index is an estimation of overall level of crime in a given city or a country. Numbeo consider crime levels lower than 20 as very low, crime levels between 20 and 40 as being low, crime levels between 40 and 60 as being moderate, crime levels between 60 and 80 as being high and finally crime levels higher than 80 as being very high.