Global homicide: SA still has highest murder rate

Which countries have the highest murder rates? Find out with the latest data

What do murder rates tell us about a country? When they are as extreme as Colombia's or South Africa's, do they shape our perceptions of the place?

Crime is rising in South Africa less than nine months before the country hosts the football World Cup. But even with a murder rate dropping some 3% in recent years, South Africa still has the highest murder rate in the world.

These figures, from the fantastic UNdata give us an insight into the latest figures. But, of course, the results can offer different interpretations. If there's one area where you can find a figure to suit your prejudices this is it. The UN data includes figures from the World Health Organisation, the UN and local police forces. So there is the South Africa (SAPS) murder rate on the chart of 39.5 - and then there's also a hugely different WHO figure of 69 murders per 100,000.

See the individual country reports and then the figures as measured by UN, WHO.

For the full data, go to the Google spreadsheet and find out for yourself.

Download the full data here

DATA: download the full list as a spreadsheet, including sources and alternative measures