{"license":"CC BY 4.0 — attribution: IsMyTripSafe.com","source":"https://ismytripsafe.com/south-africa/bloemfontein","updatedAt":"2026-07-29T17:44:16.819Z","place":{"city":"Bloemfontein","country":"South Africa","countryCode":"ZA","lat":-29.12107,"lon":26.214},"safety":{"score":47,"level":"CAUTION","answer":"Caution advised","saferThanPctOfCountries":36,"confidence":0.87,"caps":[],"databaseScore":48,"travellerSentiment":{"score":40,"label":"Very Negative","summary":"Locals and visitors report feeling unsafe, with a low score for feeling safe walking alone at night (23/100) and a high concern about violent and property crime.","weightInScore":0.18,"components":[{"label":"Reported feel","score":26,"weight":0.35},{"label":"Robbery risk","score":34,"weight":0.45},{"label":"Pickpocket risk","score":78,"weight":0.2}]},"categories":[{"key":"crime","label":"Crime","score":40,"tier":1},{"key":"sentiment","label":"Traveller Sentiment","score":40,"tier":1},{"key":"advisories","label":"Advisories","score":72,"tier":2},{"key":"stability","label":"Stability","score":62,"tier":2},{"key":"health","label":"Health & Air","score":66,"tier":2}]},"advisories":[{"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":"2026-07-29T14:31:46.2003107-04:00","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":556637,"display":"557k residents","year":null,"score":78,"source":"City Geocoding"},{"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":60,"display":"US AQI 60 · Moderate","year":null,"score":85,"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":22,"display":"July: highs ~22°C · strong winds","year":null,"score":82,"source":"Open-Meteo"},{"key":"natural_hazards","label":"Natural hazards","value":0,"display":"No active alerts","year":null,"score":100,"source":"GDACS / USGS"},{"key":"advisory","label":"Government travel advisory","value":2,"display":"Level 2 — Exercise a high degree of caution","year":null,"score":72,"source":"Government of Canada"},{"key":"research_robbery_risk","label":"Mugging & robbery risk","value":2,"display":"High risk","year":null,"score":45,"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":26,"display":"26 / 100 (Very Negative)","year":null,"score":26,"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":"Bloemfontein requires a high degree of caution due to significant crime risks, particularly violent crime and property crime.","summary":"While official advisories suggest exercising a high degree of caution, local sentiment and crime statistics indicate a challenging safety environment for travelers. Visitors should be aware of elevated risks for robbery, pickpocketing, and general street crime, especially after dark.","robberyRisk":{"level":"High","note":"Worry about being mugged or robbed is high (72/100), and violent crime is seen as a significant local problem (74/100)."},"pickpocketRisk":{"level":"Moderate","note":"While specific pickpocketing data is limited, the general high crime rate and property crime concerns suggest a moderate risk in crowded areas."},"safeAreas":["Naval Hill"],"avoidAreas":["Bloemfontein Central Business District (CBD)","Mangaung"],"scams":["Be wary of unsolicited offers of help or assistance, which could be a prelude to a scam or theft.","Avoid engaging with individuals who appear to be loitering or overly persistent in offering services."],"zones":[{"name":"Naval Hill","level":"safe","note":"Generally considered safe due to its nature as a nature reserve and tourist attraction, but exercise caution after dark."},{"name":"Brandwag","level":"caution","note":"A residential area with some commercial activity; be aware of your surroundings, especially at night."},{"name":"Universitas","level":"caution","note":"A student-heavy area; while generally safe, petty crime can occur, particularly around student accommodation."},{"name":"Fleurdal","level":"caution","note":"A mixed residential and commercial area; maintain vigilance, especially in less populated areas or after dark."},{"name":"Heuwelsig","level":"caution","note":"An established residential suburb; usual precautions against opportunistic crime apply."},{"name":"Bloemfontein Central Business District (CBD)","level":"avoid","note":"High crime rates reported, including muggings and theft; avoid after dark and be extremely vigilant during the day."},{"name":"Mangaung","level":"avoid","note":"Reports of illegal immigration issues and general crime concerns make this area one to avoid."}]}}