{"license":"CC BY 4.0 — attribution: IsMyTripSafe.com","source":"https://ismytripsafe.com/south-africa/johannesburg","updatedAt":"2026-09-24T14:25:24.132Z","place":{"city":"Johannesburg","country":"South Africa","countryCode":"ZA","lat":-26.20227,"lon":28.04363},"safety":{"score":28,"level":"CAUTION","answer":"Caution advised","saferThanPctOfCountries":13,"confidence":0.76,"caps":[],"databaseScore":27,"travellerSentiment":{"score":35,"label":"Mostly negative","summary":"Visitors report feeling unsafe walking alone, with only 9% feeling safe at night and 30% in daylight according to city surveys; recent traveller forums describe Johannesburg as far worse than other African or global cities for crime, advising extreme caution.","weightInScore":0.18,"components":[{"label":"Reported feel","score":22,"weight":0.35},{"label":"Robbery risk","score":34,"weight":0.45},{"label":"Pickpocket risk","score":58,"weight":0.2}]},"categories":[{"key":"crime","label":"Crime","score":19,"tier":1},{"key":"sentiment","label":"Traveller Sentiment","score":35,"tier":1},{"key":"advisories","label":"Advisories","score":72,"tier":2},{"key":"stability","label":"Stability","score":62,"tier":2},{"key":"health","label":"Health & Air","score":67,"tier":2}]},"advisories":[{"source":"U.S. Department of State","level":2,"label":"Exercise Increased Caution","updated":"Tue, 27 May 2025","url":"https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/south-africa-travel-advisory.html"},{"source":"UK Foreign Office (FCDO)","level":1,"label":"No advisory against travel","updated":"2026-07-21T14:07:51Z","url":"https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/south-africa"},{"source":"Government of Canada","level":2,"label":"Exercise a high degree of caution","updated":"2026-09-24T08:53:35.335077-04:00","url":"https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/south-africa"}],"indicators":[{"key":"homicide","label":"Homicide rate","value":43.7202551331462,"display":"43.7 / 100k","year":"2022","score":7,"source":"World Bank Open Data"},{"key":"crime_major_constraint","label":"Crime seen as a major business constraint","value":40.4,"display":"40.4%","year":"2007","score":26,"source":"World Bank Enterprise Surveys"},{"key":"terrorism_deaths_pm","label":"Terrorism deaths (latest year)","value":0.1235572394897154,"display":"0.12 / million","year":"2021","score":91,"source":"Global Terrorism Database"},{"key":"road_deaths","label":"Road traffic deaths","value":24.5,"display":"24.5 / 100k","year":"2021","score":33,"source":"WHO Global Health Observatory"},{"key":"stability","label":"Political stability & no terrorism","value":55.3527432,"display":"55/100","year":"2024","score":55,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"rule_of_law","label":"Rule of law","value":57.2693915,"display":"57/100","year":"2024","score":57,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"corruption","label":"Control of corruption","value":43.9726469,"display":"44/100","year":"2024","score":44,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"gov_effectiveness","label":"Government effectiveness","value":46.9478119,"display":"47/100","year":"2024","score":47,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"regulatory","label":"Regulatory quality","value":53.9146724,"display":"54/100","year":"2024","score":54,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"voice","label":"Voice & accountability","value":67.4781439,"display":"67/100","year":"2024","score":67,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"city_population_scale","label":"Urban scale factor","value":9418183,"display":"9.4M residents","year":null,"score":39,"source":"City Geocoding"},{"key":"numbeo_crime_index","label":"Crime index (crowdsourced)","value":80.83,"display":"80.8 / 100 · city-level","year":null,"score":13,"source":"Numbeo Crime Index"},{"key":"numbeo_safety_night","label":"Feeling safe walking alone at night","value":8.56,"display":"9 / 100","year":null,"score":12,"source":"Numbeo (city survey)"},{"key":"numbeo_safety_day","label":"Feeling safe walking alone in daylight","value":29.65,"display":"30 / 100","year":null,"score":32,"source":"Numbeo (city survey)"},{"key":"numbeo_worry_mugged","label":"Worry about being mugged or robbed","value":82.08,"display":"82 / 100","year":null,"score":16,"source":"Numbeo (city survey)"},{"key":"numbeo_violent_crime","label":"Violent crime as a local problem","value":88.4,"display":"88 / 100","year":null,"score":11,"source":"Numbeo (city survey)"},{"key":"numbeo_property_crime","label":"Property crime as a local problem","value":83.07,"display":"83 / 100","year":null,"score":15,"source":"Numbeo (city survey)"},{"key":"numbeo_drugs","label":"Drug dealing or use as a local problem","value":72.19,"display":"72 / 100","year":null,"score":27,"source":"Numbeo (city survey)"},{"key":"safe_walking_dark","label":"Feel safe walking alone after dark","value":37,"display":"37.0%","year":"2022","score":30,"source":"UN SDG Global Database"},{"key":"human_trafficking_victims","label":"Detected human-trafficking victims","value":0.03,"display":"0.03 / 100k","year":"2022","score":92,"source":"UN SDG Global Database"},{"key":"bribery_contact_rate","label":"Bribery during public-official contact","value":18,"display":"18.0%","year":"2019","score":62,"source":"UN SDG Global Database"},{"key":"air_quality","label":"Air quality","value":82,"display":"US AQI 82 · Moderate","year":null,"score":75,"source":"Open-Meteo Air Quality"},{"key":"health","label":"Travel health notices","value":null,"display":"3 global notices","year":null,"score":92,"source":"CDC Travelers' Health"},{"key":"hospitals","label":"Hospitals nearby","value":22.512779725,"display":"23 beds / 10k · country avg","year":"2010","score":65,"source":"WHO Global Health Observatory"},{"key":"weather","label":"Extreme weather","value":31,"display":"September: highs ~31°C · no weather extremes","year":null,"score":100,"source":"Open-Meteo"},{"key":"natural_hazards","label":"Natural hazards","value":0,"display":"No active alerts · low seismicity","year":null,"score":100,"source":"GDACS / USGS"},{"key":"advisory","label":"Government travel advisory","value":2,"display":"Level 2 — Exercise Increased Caution · 2 govts","year":null,"score":50,"source":"CA / US"}],"healthNotices":[{"level":"Alert","title":"Global Polio","url":"https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/level2/global-polio"},{"level":"Watch","title":"Global Dengue","url":"https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/level1/dengue-global"},{"level":"Watch","title":"Global Measles","url":"https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/level1/measles-globe"}],"hazardAlerts":[],"fieldResearch":{"verdict":"No — Johannesburg remains high-risk for visitors due to frequent violent crime and pickpocketing, though stays in secure zones like Sandton or Rosebank with precautions can reduce exposure.","summary":"Johannesburg's safety profile shows extreme crime risks, with homicide rates far above global averages and visitors reporting low feelings of safety, especially at night. While terrorism and natural hazards pose minimal threats, armed robbery, muggings, and bag-snatching are common concerns for tourists, particularly in inner-city areas and on public transport. Secure suburbs and guided tours offer safer options, but constant vigilance is essential.","robberyRisk":{"level":"High","note":"Armed robbery and muggings pose significant risk to visitors, particularly in isolated areas after dark and in Hillbrow or inner city zones."},"pickpocketRisk":{"level":"High","note":"Pickpocketing and bag-snatching are frequent in crowded malls, markets, and transport hubs like Sandton and Gautrain stations."},"safeAreas":["Sandton","Rosebank","Melrose Arch"],"avoidAreas":["Inner City / CBD","Hillbrow","Alexandra Township"],"scams":["Car window smash-and-grab at traffic lights to steal phones, bags, or valuables","Distraction pickpocketing scams involving accomplices creating diversions to steal wallets or phones","Fake taxi or unlicensed minibus taxi drivers overcharging or taking tourists to unsafe areas"],"zones":[{"name":"Sandton","level":"safe","note":"Affluent business district with strong private security; low violent crime risk for visitors using standard precautions."},{"name":"Rosebank","level":"safe","note":"Upscale area with malls, hotels, and active patrols; safe by day and night with situational awareness."},{"name":"Melrose Arch","level":"safe","note":"Modern mixed-use precinct with controlled access and security; suitable for dining and lodging."},{"name":"Braamfontein","level":"caution","note":"University area with vibrant culture but elevated petty crime; avoid walking alone after dark."},{"name":"Newtown","level":"caution","note":"Cultural hub with museums and markets; safe by day but higher theft risk at night."},{"name":"Inner City / CBD","level":"avoid","note":"High incidence of muggings, carjackings, and armed robbery; not recommended for tourists without guided tours."},{"name":"Hillbrow","level":"avoid","note":"Densely populated with chronic violent crime, drug activity, and frequent assaults; avoid entirely."},{"name":"Alexandra Township","level":"avoid","note":"High poverty and crime rates; armed robbery and assault common; only visit with reputable guided tours."},{"name":"Soweto","level":"caution","note":"Historic township safe for tourists only on organized guided tours; independent travel not advised due to crime risk."}]}}