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.
South Africa and Brazil dominate the top ten list, with multiple urban centers flagged by public perception. In South Africa, Johannesburg shares the lowest spot with Caracas, while Durban follows closely behind in third place with a score of 20. Cape Town also appears lower on the index, occupying the ninth position with a score of 26.
Brazil accounts for four consecutive entries on the list. Salvador and Fortaleza tie for the fourth and fifth positions, both recording safety scores of 24. Right behind them, Rio de Janeiro and Recife each register a score of 25, sharing the six and seven spots.
Rounding out the list are two additional South American cities. Guayaquil, Ecuador, sits alongside Rio de Janeiro and Recife with a score of 25. Meanwhile, Cali, Colombia, holds the tenth position, closing out the ranking with a score of 29.
