The world's least safe cities in 2026
A new 2026 safety index by Visual Statistics identifies Caracas and Johannesburg as the world's least safe cities based on public perception. The rankings highlight a concentration of safety concerns in South Africa and Brazil, which account for the majority of the bottom ten entries.
Why it matters
These rankings influence international tourism, foreign investment, and urban development policies by highlighting the gap between official crime data and public sentiment.
Caracas, Venezuela, and Johannesburg, South Africa, have emerged as the world’s least safe cities in 2026, each scoring a low 19 out of 100 in safety rankings compiled by Visual Statistics.
The rankings evaluate locations worldwide based strictly on public perceptions of crime and personal safety, rather than relying on official crime statistics or broader geopolitical risks.
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