How unsafe is Egypt?
Updated on: 16/06/2025The occasional outbreaks of extreme violence that Egypt has experienced (the Luxor massacre in 1997, the Sharm el-Sheikh bombings in 2005, the Khan el-Khalilisouk bombing in 2009, etc.) have left a lasting impression. However, Egypt is not a particularly risky or dangerous country for travelers. Here are some comparative statistics with France:
In Egypt, there were 1,360 homicides in 2017, which equates to 1.33 cases per 100,000 inhabitants (101.8 million inhabitants). Note that this rate has dropped significantly since 2012, when it was twice as high in the aftermath of the Arab Spring.
In France, there were 948 intentional homicides in 2022, which equates to 1.39 cases per 100,000 inhabitants (68.0 million inhabitants).
By way of comparison, the homicide rate per 100,000 inhabitants is:
- 6 in Martinique and Guadeloupe, which is four times higher than in Egypt.
- 13.7 in French Guiana, which is 10 times higher than in Egypt.
Sources:
