{"license":"CC BY 4.0 — attribution: IsMyTripSafe.com","source":"https://ismytripsafe.com/south-africa/johannesburg","updatedAt":"2026-07-28T01:37:12.512Z","place":{"city":"Johannesburg","country":"South Africa","countryCode":"ZA","lat":-26.20227,"lon":28.04363},"safety":{"score":30,"level":"CAUTION","answer":"Caution advised","saferThanPctOfCountries":15,"confidence":0.86,"caps":[{"max":30,"reason":"Homicide rate 44/100k"}],"databaseScore":30,"travellerSentiment":{"score":39,"label":"Mostly negative","summary":"Recent traveler forums report feeling unsafe walking alone after dark and describe frequent harassment, indicating low perceived safety among visitors.","weightInScore":0.18,"components":[{"label":"Reported feel","score":35,"weight":0.35},{"label":"Robbery risk","score":34,"weight":0.45},{"label":"Pickpocket risk","score":58,"weight":0.2}]},"categories":[{"key":"crime","label":"Crime","score":20,"tier":1},{"key":"sentiment","label":"Traveller Sentiment","score":39,"tier":1},{"key":"advisories","label":"Advisories","score":72,"tier":2},{"key":"stability","label":"Stability","score":62,"tier":2},{"key":"health","label":"Health & Air","score":63,"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":"2026-07-13T16:07:28.2534285-04:00","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":"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":"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":122,"display":"US AQI 122 · Unhealthy for sensitive groups","year":null,"score":56,"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":"weather","label":"Extreme weather","value":20,"display":"July: highs ~20°C · no weather extremes","year":null,"score":100,"source":"Open-Meteo"},{"key":"natural_hazards","label":"Natural hazards","value":4,"display":"4 active alerts · Wildfire (green)","year":null,"score":78,"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"}],"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":[{"kind":"Wildfire","severity":"green","title":"forest fire notification in South Africa","distanceKm":122},{"kind":"Wildfire","severity":"green","title":"forest fire notification in South Africa","distanceKm":133},{"kind":"Wildfire","severity":"green","title":"forest fire notification in Botswana","distanceKm":481},{"kind":"Wildfire","severity":"green","title":"forest fire notification in Botswana","distanceKm":492}],"fieldResearch":{"verdict":"No — Johannesburg is not safe for visitors without constant vigilance, as recent violent incidents and high petty‑crime rates demand extreme caution.","summary":"Johannesburg’s composite safety index of 30 reflects severe homicide and petty‑crime risks, especially in central districts, while government advisories urge travelers to exercise a high degree of caution.","robberyRisk":{"level":"High","note":"Armed robbery and muggings are common in central and inner‑city suburbs, especially at night; avoid deserted streets and isolated transport hubs"},"pickpocketRisk":{"level":"High","note":"Pickpocketing and bag‑snatching are rampant in crowded malls, markets, and on public transport, particularly during rush hour"},"safeAreas":["Maboneng","Braamfontein","Rosebank (daytime only)","Sandton (daytime only)"],"avoidAreas":["Alexandra (high violent crime)","Soweto (gang‑related incidents)","Diepkloof (theft and assault)"],"scams":["ATM skimming and card‑skimming at banks and ATMs","‘taxi‑hijack’ scams where drivers demand extra cash or threaten passengers","‘lost‑item’ con where strangers claim to have found your belongings and request payment"],"zones":[{"name":"Sandton","level":"caution","note":"wealthy business hub but pickpocketing and smash‑and‑grab incidents reported, especially after dark"},{"name":"Rosebank","level":"caution","note":"popular shopping area with frequent vehicle break‑ins; stay alert and avoid walking alone at night"},{"name":"Melville","level":"caution","note":"vibrant nightlife district; alcohol‑related assaults and occasional muggings have been noted"},{"name":"Maboneng","level":"safe","note":"well‑patrolled arts precinct with active security; generally safe for visitors during daylight and early evening"},{"name":"Braamfontein","level":"safe","note":"student and medical area with regular patrols; low risk for tourists but keep belongings secure"},{"name":"Alexandra","level":"avoid","note":"high crime rate and frequent violent incidents; not recommended for travelers"},{"name":"Soweto","level":"avoid","note":"large township with elevated gang activity and occasional shootings; avoid unless part of an organized, vetted tour"},{"name":"Diepkloof","level":"avoid","note":"informal settlement with documented theft and assault cases; travelers should steer clear"}]}}