Harare ranked among safer global cities

Zimbabwe's capital, Harare, has been ranked among the world's safer cities, according to the latest Numbeo Crime Index, highlighting a moderate to low crime prevalence that could strengthen its appeal as a destination for business and tourism.

The Numbeo Crime Index measures perceptions of safety, covering both property crimes, such as theft and burglary, and violent crimes, including assault and robbery, as well as incidents motivated by bias. The index is based on a 0–100 scale, with higher scores reflecting higher perceived crime levels.

Harare ranks 67th out of 400 global cities, placing it ahead of many other African urban centres. The city has an overall Crime Index score of 60.7, while its Safety Index stands at 39.3. While crime levels are acknowledged as moderate, the report notes a notable increase over the past five years.

According to the index, the highest crime-related risk in Harare is corruption and bribery, which scored 88.01. Conversely, the risk of danger when walking alone at night is considered very low, with a score of just 32.5.

Globally, the report highlights South African cities as among the most dangerous, with Pietermaritzburg ranked the world's deadliest city, followed by Johannesburg, Durban, Port Elizabeth, and Cape Town. Lagos, Nigeria, is also ranked seventh in the list of most dangerous cities worldwide.

The Numbeo findings present Harare in a positive light, suggesting that, despite challenges, it remains a relatively safe urban centre, offering confidence to investors, tourists, and residents alike.