{"license":"CC BY 4.0 — attribution: IsMyTripSafe.com","source":"https://ismytripsafe.com/iraq/erbil","updatedAt":"2026-07-29T18:13:40.808Z","place":{"city":"Erbil","country":"Iraq","countryCode":"IQ","lat":36.19117,"lon":44.00943},"safety":{"score":18,"level":"HIGH_RISK","answer":"Elevated risk — reconsider","saferThanPctOfCountries":6,"confidence":0.88,"caps":[{"max":18,"reason":"Level 4 advisory — \"Do Not Travel\""}],"databaseScore":18,"travellerSentiment":{"score":58,"label":"Mixed","summary":"Reports indicate successful tourist operations during holidays with effective security, but this is juxtaposed with significant regional security incidents and official warnings.","weightInScore":0.18,"components":[{"label":"Reported feel","score":40,"weight":0.35},{"label":"Robbery risk","score":62,"weight":0.45},{"label":"Pickpocket risk","score":78,"weight":0.2}]},"categories":[{"key":"crime","label":"Crime","score":50,"tier":1},{"key":"sentiment","label":"Traveller Sentiment","score":58,"tier":1},{"key":"advisories","label":"Advisories","score":0,"tier":2},{"key":"stability","label":"Stability","score":35,"tier":2},{"key":"health","label":"Health & Air","score":63,"tier":2}]},"advisories":[{"source":"UK Foreign Office (FCDO)","level":4,"label":"Advises against all travel to parts of the country","updated":"2026-07-22T16:11:21Z","url":"https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/iraq"},{"source":"Government of Canada","level":4,"label":"Avoid all travel","updated":"2026-07-29T14:31:46.2003107-04:00","url":"https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/iraq"}],"indicators":[{"key":"homicide","label":"Homicide rate","value":9.46375217111484,"display":"9.5 / 100k","year":"2013","score":48,"source":"World Bank Open Data"},{"key":"crime_major_constraint","label":"Crime seen as a major business constraint","value":1.4,"display":"1.4%","year":"2011","score":97,"source":"World Bank Enterprise Surveys"},{"key":"terrorism_deaths_pm","label":"Terrorism deaths (latest year)","value":6.529029062771277,"display":"6.5 / million","year":"2021","score":49,"source":"Global Terrorism Database"},{"key":"road_deaths","label":"Road traffic deaths","value":21.5,"display":"21.5 / 100k","year":"2021","score":39,"source":"WHO Global Health Observatory"},{"key":"stability","label":"Political stability & no terrorism","value":30.6332522,"display":"31/100","year":"2024","score":31,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"rule_of_law","label":"Rule of law","value":33.5897975,"display":"34/100","year":"2024","score":34,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"corruption","label":"Control of corruption","value":23.4634646,"display":"23/100","year":"2024","score":23,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"gov_effectiveness","label":"Government effectiveness","value":29.9154103,"display":"30/100","year":"2024","score":30,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"regulatory","label":"Regulatory quality","value":38.6096174,"display":"39/100","year":"2024","score":39,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"voice","label":"Voice & accountability","value":38.9686214,"display":"39/100","year":"2024","score":39,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"city_population_scale","label":"Urban scale factor","value":1612700,"display":"1.6M residents","year":null,"score":70,"source":"City Geocoding"},{"key":"safe_walking_dark","label":"Feel safe walking alone after dark","value":48.9,"display":"48.9%","year":"2018","score":47,"source":"UN SDG Global Database"},{"key":"violence_victimization","label":"Physical assault (past year)","value":1.46,"display":"1.5%","year":"2018","score":92,"source":"UN SDG Global Database"},{"key":"human_trafficking_victims","label":"Detected human-trafficking victims","value":0.02,"display":"0.02 / 100k","year":"2022","score":92,"source":"UN SDG Global Database"},{"key":"air_quality","label":"Air quality","value":63,"display":"US AQI 63 · Moderate","year":null,"score":84,"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":10.624942678,"display":"11 beds / 10k · country avg","year":"2018","score":48,"source":"WHO Global Health Observatory"},{"key":"weather","label":"Extreme weather","value":46,"display":"July: highs ~46°C · dangerous heat","year":null,"score":45,"source":"Open-Meteo"},{"key":"natural_hazards","label":"Natural hazards","value":0,"display":"No active alerts · 7 quakes ≥M4.5 past yr","year":null,"score":94,"source":"GDACS / USGS"},{"key":"advisory","label":"Government travel advisory","value":4,"display":"Level 4 — Avoid all travel","year":null,"score":0,"source":"Government of Canada"},{"key":"research_robbery_risk","label":"Mugging & robbery risk","value":3,"display":"Moderate risk","year":null,"score":70,"source":"City Web Research"},{"key":"research_pickpocket_risk","label":"Pickpocketing & theft risk","value":3,"display":"Moderate risk","year":null,"score":70,"source":"City Web Research"},{"key":"research_sentiment_score","label":"Visitor safety sentiment","value":40,"display":"40 / 100 (Mixed)","year":null,"score":40,"source":"City Web Research"}],"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":"Erbil is not considered safe for travelers due to significant security risks and official travel warnings.","summary":"Multiple government advisories recommend avoiding all travel to Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region. While Erbil has seen tourist activity and reports of effective security during holidays, it remains subject to regional instability, including recent drone and missile attacks, and general risks associated with the country. Travelers should be aware of high heat, potential health concerns, and the need for extreme caution.","robberyRisk":{"level":"Moderate","note":"While specific street crime data for Erbil is limited, the general risk in Iraq is elevated, and caution is advised, especially in crowded areas."},"pickpocketRisk":{"level":"Moderate","note":"Pickpocketing and bag-snatching can occur in busy markets and tourist areas; maintain awareness of your surroundings."},"safeAreas":["Sami Abdul Rahman Park","Gulan Street","Family Mall Area"],"avoidAreas":["Areas near active protests or demonstrations","Border regions (though Erbil is far from most international borders)"],"scams":["Potential for inflated prices or scams targeting tourists, particularly in markets or with unofficial guides.","Solicitation of money or goods by individuals claiming to be in distress."],"zones":[{"name":"Erbil Citadel","level":"caution","note":"Historic area, generally safe but can be crowded, increasing petty crime risk."},{"name":"Sami Abdul Rahman Park","level":"safe","note":"Large, well-maintained park, popular with families, generally safe."},{"name":"Gulan Street","level":"safe","note":"Major commercial and residential street, well-lit and busy, considered safe."},{"name":"Family Mall Area","level":"safe","note":"Modern shopping and entertainment district, high security presence, generally safe."},{"name":"Ankawa","level":"caution","note":"Christian district, generally peaceful but can experience occasional unrest or protests."},{"name":"Industrial Zone","level":"caution","note":"Area with businesses and warehouses, less tourist-oriented, exercise caution due to industrial activity and potentially lower security."},{"name":"Areas near military bases or government buildings","level":"caution","note":"Increased security presence can mean more scrutiny and potential for disruption during heightened security periods."}]}}