{"license":"CC BY 4.0 — attribution: IsMyTripSafe.com","source":"https://ismytripsafe.com/kazakhstan/shymkent","updatedAt":"2026-07-29T17:15:00.852Z","place":{"city":"Shymkent","country":"Kazakhstan","countryCode":"KZ","lat":42.30988,"lon":69.60042},"safety":{"score":68,"level":"SAFE","answer":"Yes — generally safe","saferThanPctOfCountries":69,"confidence":0.87,"caps":[],"databaseScore":69,"travellerSentiment":{"score":62,"label":"Mixed but improving","summary":"Traveller reports show cautious confidence — 64% of visitors report feeling safe alone after dark (database), though some 2026 sources cite lower figures (~44%). Recent tourism growth (Oct 2025–May 2026) and positive media suggest improving visitor confidence, but petty crime and bureaucratic friction remain common complaints.","weightInScore":0.18,"components":[{"label":"Reported feel","score":54,"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":63,"tier":1},{"key":"sentiment","label":"Traveller Sentiment","score":62,"tier":1},{"key":"advisories","label":"Advisories","score":97,"tier":2},{"key":"stability","label":"Stability","score":65,"tier":2},{"key":"health","label":"Health & Air","score":78,"tier":2}]},"advisories":[{"source":"UK Foreign Office (FCDO)","level":1,"label":"No advisory against travel","updated":"2026-04-02T12:24:10Z","url":"https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/kazakhstan"},{"source":"Government of Canada","level":1,"label":"Exercise normal security precautions","updated":"2026-07-29T14:31:46.2003107-04:00","url":"https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/kazakhstan"}],"indicators":[{"key":"homicide","label":"Homicide rate","value":2.55058633787163,"display":"2.6 / 100k","year":"2022","score":82,"source":"World Bank Open Data"},{"key":"crime_major_constraint","label":"Crime seen as a major business constraint","value":2,"display":"2.0%","year":"2019","score":94,"source":"World Bank Enterprise Surveys"},{"key":"terrorism_deaths_pm","label":"Terrorism deaths (latest year)","value":0,"display":"0 recorded","year":"2021","score":100,"source":"Global Terrorism Database"},{"key":"road_deaths","label":"Road traffic deaths","value":12.2,"display":"12.2 / 100k","year":"2021","score":60,"source":"WHO Global Health Observatory"},{"key":"stability","label":"Political stability & no terrorism","value":61.0644717,"display":"61/100","year":"2024","score":61,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"rule_of_law","label":"Rule of law","value":50.3980061,"display":"50/100","year":"2024","score":50,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"corruption","label":"Control of corruption","value":46.4968168,"display":"46/100","year":"2024","score":46,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"gov_effectiveness","label":"Government effectiveness","value":54.1941626,"display":"54/100","year":"2024","score":54,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"regulatory","label":"Regulatory quality","value":55.6049145,"display":"56/100","year":"2024","score":56,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"voice","label":"Voice & accountability","value":42.5722351,"display":"43/100","year":"2024","score":43,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"city_population_scale","label":"Urban scale factor","value":1200000,"display":"1.2M residents","year":null,"score":72,"source":"City Geocoding"},{"key":"safe_walking_dark","label":"Feel safe walking alone after dark","value":64,"display":"64.0%","year":"2024","score":65,"source":"UN SDG Global Database"},{"key":"human_trafficking_victims","label":"Detected human-trafficking victims","value":0.04,"display":"0.04 / 100k","year":"2024","score":91,"source":"UN SDG Global Database"},{"key":"bribery_contact_rate","label":"Bribery during public-official contact","value":21.05,"display":"21.1%","year":"2016","score":56,"source":"UN SDG Global Database"},{"key":"air_quality","label":"Air quality","value":37,"display":"US AQI 37 · Good","year":null,"score":92,"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":65.426154663,"display":"65 beds / 10k · country avg","year":"2020","score":92,"source":"WHO Global Health Observatory"},{"key":"weather","label":"Extreme weather","value":40,"display":"July: highs ~40°C · extreme heat","year":null,"score":62,"source":"Open-Meteo"},{"key":"natural_hazards","label":"Natural hazards","value":0,"display":"No active alerts · 5 quakes ≥M4.5 past yr","year":null,"score":94,"source":"GDACS / USGS"},{"key":"advisory","label":"Government travel advisory","value":1,"display":"Level 1 — Exercise normal security precautions","year":null,"score":97,"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":54,"display":"54 / 100 (Mixed but improving)","year":null,"score":54,"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":"Yes — Shymkent is generally safe for visitors under standard precautions, rated Level 1 by Canada and UK governments.","summary":"Shymkent has a solid 73/100 composite safety index with low violent-crime rates (homicide 2.6/100k, below global average). The real risks are pickpocketing and petty scams rather than serious crime. Extreme heat in July (~42°C) and road-safety concerns require practical planning.","robberyRisk":{"level":"Moderate","note":"Homicide rate is low by global standards (2.6/100k), but mugging and street theft occur. Avoid isolated areas and the Old Town at night; exercise situational awareness in crowds."},"pickpocketRisk":{"level":"Moderate","note":"Pickpocketing and bag-snatching are common at transit hubs, bazaars, and major attractions — heightened vigilance required in crowded public spaces."},"safeAreas":["Downtown/City Center","Abay District","Aksai","Alatau District","Oyan District"],"avoidAreas":["Old Town after dark (high crime rate per traveler reports)","Isolated streets and unlit areas after dusk","Transit hubs (bus/train stations) late evening—pickpocketing risk"],"scams":["Pickpocketing and bag-snatching at transit hubs, bazaars, and crowded attractions","Taxi overcharging — fake meters or inflated fares for street hails","Spurious or inflated 'fines' from officials (occasional but documented)","Corruption or bribery offers from officials — avoid engaging entirely"],"zones":[{"name":"Old Town (Старый город)","level":"caution","note":"Higher crime documented, especially after dark—stay alert in crowds, avoid isolated streets"},{"name":"Downtown/City Center","level":"safe","note":"Main commercial and tourist district; well-populated and patrolled during daylight hours"},{"name":"Abay District","level":"safe","note":"Established residential area with good local services; low-crime for visitors"},{"name":"Turksib District","level":"caution","note":"Mixed residential zone; avoid after dark, keep valuables secured and hidden"},{"name":"Aksai","level":"safe","note":"Quieter suburban district; minimal crime concerns, good for daytime exploration"},{"name":"Alatau District","level":"safe","note":"Modern development with new amenities; generally secure for visitors"},{"name":"Oyan District","level":"safe","note":"Growing zone near airport; adequate security infrastructure and public activity"}]}}