Is Johannesburg Safe for Women?
Safety rating
Women living in Johannesburg consider the safety level to be relatively low, with an overall safety rating of 2.3 out of 5.
Crime rating
Women living in Johannesburg consider the crime rate to be relatively high, with an overall crime rating of 3.6 out of 5.
Violence rating
On average 7% percentage of women in South Africa have experienced physical and/or sexual violence from an intimate partner at some time in their life, according to OECD Data.
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Crime & Safety Statistics
Based on 11 experiences
Safety rating: | 2.3/5 | Unsafe |
Safety walking alone after dark: | 1/5 | Very Unsafe |
Safety using public transport: | 1.9/5 | Unsafe |
Crime rate: | 3.6/5 | High |
Worries of being sexually harassed: | 3.3/5 | Moderate |
Worries of being sexually assaulted or raped: | 3.5/5 | Moderate |
Worries of being physically attacked: | 2.9/5 | Moderate |
Worries of home broken and things stolen: | 2.6/5 | Moderate |
Worries of being mugged or robbed: | 2.8/5 | Moderate |
Worries of being kidnapped or murdered: | 2.5/5 | Moderate |
How safe is Johannesburg?
It is important to find out about safer neighborhoods. Not all areas are safe in Johannesburg. Don't walk alone at night. If you use Uber and go to populated safer areas, your trip can still be very nice and safe.
Posted: May 10, 2025Johannesburg is a complex city. You have to know where and where not to go and hot to behave in this city in order not to be a victim of crime. I have lived here my whole life so I know how to navigate the city and ensure that my friends visiting from overseas are safe.
Posted: May 5, 2025Not safe , you have to be extra careful especially travelling to places you’re not familiar with and after dark. Better to do your research before going anywhere and keep your belongings safe at all times.
Posted: February 4, 2025Johannesburg is a lively city with a lot to do, however it does have a high crime rate. I would highly suggest staying cautious of your surroundings and keeping your personal belongings safe. Certain areas are obviously much safer than others but always be vigilant and try to stay in public areas.
Posted: January 17, 2025Its is not safe to walk at night without somebody. Home invasions are common, thus, most houses have high walls and an alarm. Phones or bags often get stolen when drinking a coffee at a cafe when people are not paying attention.
Posted: December 30, 2024Is Johannesburg worth visiting?
Travel rating
based on 7 experiences from female travelers
Couple travel
Johannesburg is beautiful and quite safe if you choose the right areas to stay and hang around. A lot of travellers are afraid of traveling to South Africa because of the high crime rate in the city but from my experience it all depends on the areas. I would highly recommend staying Sandton or areas close for safety and general aesthetic. Sandton is relatively more expensive than other areas but it's worth it!
Posted: September 21, 2024Experienced: July, 2022Safety in South Africa
Cape Town
Johannesburg
Tzaneen
Pretoria
Durban
Jeffreys Bay
Knysna
Upington
Stellenbosch
Newcastle
Pietermaritzburg
Stilbaai
Frequently asked questions
Is Johannesburg safe?
Is Johannesburg safe to walk alone at night?
Is public transport safe in Johannesburg?
What is the crime rate in Johannesburg?
What is the risk of being sexually harassed in Johannesburg?
What is the risk of being sexually assaulted or raped in Johannesburg?
What is the risk of being physically attacked in Johannesburg?
What is the risk of burglary in Johannesburg?
What is the risk of being mugged or robbed in Johannesburg?
What is the risk of being kidnapped or murdered in Johannesburg?
