Is Johannesburg Safe for Women? Crime Rate in Johannesburg

Safety rating

Unsafe
2.3 /5

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

High
3.6 /5

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

7%

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:

2.3/5Unsafe

Safety walking alone after dark:

1/5Very Unsafe

Safety using public transport:

1.9/5Unsafe

Crime rate:

3.6/5High

Worries of being sexually harassed:

3.3/5Moderate

Worries of being sexually assaulted or raped:

3.5/5Moderate

Worries of being physically attacked:

2.9/5Moderate

Worries of home broken and things stolen:

2.6/5Moderate

Worries of being mugged or robbed:

2.8/5Moderate

Worries of being kidnapped or murdered:

2.5/5Moderate

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, 2025
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Johannesburg 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, 2025
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Not 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, 2025
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Johannesburg 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, 2025
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Its 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, 2024
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Is Johannesburg worth visiting?

Travel rating

3.7 /5

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, 2022
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Meet locals in Johannesburg

Camille

Camille

About Me

Hey i’m Camille, im here for 3 months for an internship. Im a frenchie who love to discover the world, si if you want to do this with me just send a text :)

Speaking

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Thato

Thato

About Me

Just a girl's girl looking to meet new people and show them around. I spend all my time at work, home or the gym. So I'm looking for new friends.

Speaking

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Safety in South Africa

Frequently asked questions

Is Johannesburg safe?

Women living in Johannesburg consider the safety level to be relatively low, with an overall safety rating of 2.3 out of 5.

Is Johannesburg safe to walk alone at night?

Women living in Johannesburg consider walking alone at night to be very unsafe, with an overall safety rating of 1 out of 5

Is public transport safe in Johannesburg?

Women living in Johannesburg consider public transport to be relatively unsafe, with an overall safety rating of 1.9 out of 5.

What is the crime rate in Johannesburg?

Women living in Johannesburg consider the crime rate to be relatively high, with an overall crime rating of 3.6 out of 5.

What is the risk of being sexually harassed in Johannesburg?

Women living in Johannesburg consider the risk of being sexually harassed to be moderate, with an overall risk rating of 3.3 out of 5.

What is the risk of being sexually assaulted or raped in Johannesburg?

Women living in Johannesburg consider the risk of being sexually assaulted or raped to be relatively high, with an overall risk rating of 3.5 out of 5.

What is the risk of being physically attacked in Johannesburg?

Women living in Johannesburg consider the risk of being physically attacked to be moderate, with an overall risk rating of 2.9 out of 5.

What is the risk of burglary in Johannesburg?

Women living in Johannesburg consider the risk of burglary to be moderate, with an overall risk rating of 2.6 out of 5.

What is the risk of being mugged or robbed in Johannesburg?

Women living in Johannesburg consider the risk of being mugged or robbed to be moderate, with an overall risk rating of 2.8 out of 5.

What is the risk of being kidnapped or murdered in Johannesburg?

Women living in Johannesburg consider the risk of being kidnapped or murdered to be moderate, with an overall risk rating of 2.5 out of 5.