The World’s Top 10 Riskiest Cities for Tourists in 2024: Where Do Indian Cities Stand?

In our interconnected world, urban safety is a major priority for travelers. With security playing a crucial role in travel decisions, tourists are increasingly focusing on destinations that offer robust safety measures and low risks related to crime, health issues, and other potential threats.

Top cities that have earned a reputation for their safety include Singapore, Toronto, and Tokyo. These cities lead the global safety rankings due to their low crime rates, effective disaster preparedness, and strong infrastructure. Their consistent safety records make them attractive choices for tourists seeking a secure environment.

European cities like Zurich, Amsterdam, and Copenhagen also stand out for their safety. These cities benefit from high levels of economic development, comprehensive social welfare systems, and strong public safety measures, reinforcing the correlation between these factors and urban safety.

In contrast, cities in Venezuela, Pakistan, and Myanmar frequently top the list of the most dangerous cities. Notably, Indian metropolises like Delhi and Mumbai have experienced troubling increases in crime rates, health risks, and infrastructure challenges, contributing to their ranking as high-risk destinations.

Forbes Advisor’s comprehensive analysis for 2024 ranks 60 global cities based on seven critical safety factors: travel safety, crime risk, personal security risk, health security risk, natural disaster risk, and digital security risk. This nuanced approach provides a clearer picture of the risks associated with various destinations.

According to the analysis, the top 10 riskiest cities for tourists in 2024 are:

1. Caracas, Venezuela (100) - Caracas tops the list as the riskiest city for tourists, with significant concerns across all safety factors, particularly high crime rates and political instability.
2. Karachi, Pakistan (93.12) - Karachi faces substantial risks due to high crime rates, infrastructure challenges, and ongoing security issues, making it a top concern for travelers.
3. Yangon, Myanmar (91.67) - Yangon is marked by high personal security risks and ongoing civil unrest, contributing to its high-risk rating.
4. Lagos, Nigeria (91.54) - Lagos is noted for significant crime and infrastructure issues, which impact overall safety for visitors.
5. Manila, Philippines (91.49) - Manila’s safety profile is affected by high crime rates, health security risks, and infrastructure challenges.
6. Dhaka, Bangladesh (89.5) - Dhaka’s risks include high crime rates and health security concerns, alongside infrastructure and disaster-related issues.
7. Bogota, Colombia (86.7) - Bogota faces high crime rates and safety concerns related to personal security and health risks.
8. Cairo, Egypt (83.44) - Cairo is marked by risks associated with crime, infrastructure, and health security, though it remains somewhat less risky compared to the top cities.
9. Mexico City, Mexico (82.43) - Mexico City’s safety profile includes notable crime and infrastructure concerns, impacting its overall ranking.
10. Quito, Ecuador (82.02) - Quito faces challenges related to crime and health security, although it is slightly less risky than the other cities on the list.

Indian cities also feature prominently on this list. New Delhi and Mumbai rank as the two riskiest Indian cities for tourists in 2024, securing spots at 12th and 14th respectively. Their scores of 77.68 and 77.36 reflect significant challenges related to crime, infrastructure, and safety. These rankings underscore the urgent need for improved safety measures to enhance the appeal of these cities as travel destinations.