Crime is a universal issue, reflective of societal disparities and struggles, but its manifestations vary across regions.

Socio-economic disparities are among the leading causes of crime globally, and Africa is no exception. Poverty, unemployment, and lack of access to education create conditions where individuals resort to illegal activities for survival.

In urban centres, particularly in informal settlements, these challenges are acute. Many African cities are grappling with rapid urbanization, leaving governments struggling to provide adequate housing, sanitation, and security services. This neglect fosters environments where petty theft, burglary, and violent crime thrive.

The prevalence and types of crimes vary widely across African countries. According to the Numbeo Crime Index, South Africa is Africa's most crime-affected country, with a crime index score of 74.7, placing it 5th globally.

The country faces pervasive violent crimes such as homicides, robberies, and assaults, exacerbated by unemployment and inadequate law enforcement. Despite efforts to curb crime, such as community policing initiatives and social programs, many South Africans report feeling unsafe.

Nigeria ranked 11th globally with a crime index score of 66.6, confronts widespread security issues, including organized crime, armed robberies, and kidnappings.

Angola follows closely, ranked 13th globally with a score of 66.3, where both violent and property crimes remain prevalent, particularly in urban areas.

Below are the top 10 African countries with the highest crime index at the start of 2025:

RankCountryCrime IndexGlobal Rank

1South Africa74.75th

2Nigeria66.611th

3Angola66.313th

4Cameroon65.514th

5Somalia63.917th

6Namibia63.519th

7Zimbabwe60.725th

8Mozambique60.128th

9Ivory Coast56.435th

10Libya56.436th

(Business Insider)