File image of police officers remembering their own at the South African Police Service Commemoration Day at the Union Buildings in Pretoria. 6 September 2015. Image: GCIS south africa safety
File image of police officers remembering their own at the South African Police Service Commemoration Day at the Union Buildings in Pretoria. 6 September 2015. Image: GCIS

Home » Nightmare scenario: South Africa plummets 50 places on Global Safety Index

Nightmare scenario: South Africa plummets 50 places on Global Safety Index

South Africa’s dramatic safety decline means the continent’s most developed land now ranks below Ecuador, Gabon and Honduras.

By Tebogo Tsape
14-10-25 18:09
in Crime
File image of police officers remembering their own at the South African Police Service Commemoration Day at the Union Buildings in Pretoria. 6 September 2015. Image: GCIS south africa safety
File image of police officers remembering their own at the South African Police Service Commemoration Day at the Union Buildings in Pretoria. 6 September 2015. Image: GCIS

South Africa was recently ranked among the world’s least safe nations, after falling 50 ranks to position 129 out of 166 countries on CS Global Partners’ 2025 Global Safety Index.

The steep decline, which saw South Africa drop dramatically from position 79 in 2022, reflects escalating crime rates, concerns over corruption and political instability across the country. South Africa now ranks below Ecuador (126), Gabon (127), and Honduras (128).

The 2025 report indicates that for countries like South Africa, safety concerns centre on everyday personal safety and the high risk of violent crime.

The latest crime statistics, for the fourth quarter of the 2024-2025 financial year (1 January 2025 to 31 March 2025), revealed a worrying trend that validated these global safety fears.

While the Ministry of Police confirmed that the South African Police Service (SAPS) observed significant decreases in most crime categories during this period, the figures released on 23 May 2025 show that several high-impact crimes remain pervasive.

Overall, contact crimes – which include murder, assault, and robbery – decreased by 5.8% nationally. Murder rates also showed a decrease of 12.4%, with 809 fewer counts recorded nationally compared to the previous comparable period, totalling 5,727 incidents. Robbery with aggravating circumstances similarly decreased by 10.4%.

However, the gains achieved in reducing some contact crimes are overshadowed by the categories that fuel public vulnerability. Rape figures saw a slight increase of 0.3%, rising by 36 to a national total of 10,688.

Additionally, kidnapping continued its frightening upward trajectory, increasing by 6.8% nationally, culminating in 4,571 reported incidents. Commercial crime also jumped by 4.7% (1,581 more counts), highlighting ongoing economic fragility and fraud risks, particularly in Gauteng and the Western Cape.

South Africa safety ranking: Crime stats up next

The SAPS is already preparing for the next crucial data release. The crime statistics for the first quarter of the current financial year (April 2025 – June 2025) are scheduled to be released on Thursday, 16 October 2025, in Tshwane.

These forthcoming figures will determine if the momentum observed in reducing crimes like murder and aggravated robbery has been sustained, or if the rising rates in categories such as kidnapping and sexual offences confirm the bleak assessment delivered by the 2025 Global Safety Index.

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