Saudi Arabia: crime and justice

What is the homicide rate in Saudi Arabia?

Saudi Arabia's homicide rate was 0.94 intentional homicides per 100,000 people in 2019, according to the World Bank, using data from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). It was 0.74 in 2018. 2019 is the latest year available. For comparison, the rate was 1.15 in the United Kingdom in 2019, the World Bank shows.

The UNODC figures are based on national records of intentional killings. The World Bank series has no later figure for Saudi Arabia, so it may not reflect current levels.

Official sources: World Bank: intentional homicides, Saudi Arabia (UNODC) · World Bank: intentional homicides, United Kingdom (UNODC)

Do people feel safe in Saudi Arabia?

97.7% of people aged 15 and over in Saudi Arabia say they feel safe walking alone at night where they live, according to the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) Safety Index Publication 2025. 86.0% said they feel very safe and 11.7% somewhat safe. 1.5% said they do not go out alone at night. The rate was 97.0% for Saudis and 98.2% for non-Saudis.

The indicator is a measure of perceived safety used for UN Sustainable Development Goal 16, based on the question "After dark, how safe do you feel walking alone in your area?" It comes from the Quality of Life Survey and does not count crimes.

Official sources: GASTAT: Safety Index Publication 2025

How safe are women in Saudi Arabia?

94.9% of women aged 15 and over in Saudi Arabia say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area, against 99.1% of men, according to the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) Safety Index Publication 2025. 81.7% of women feel very safe, and 4.2% say they do not go out alone at night. The female homicide rate was 0.3 per 100,000 women in 2017, the World Bank reports, using UN Office on Drugs and Crime data.

The safety figures measure perceptions rather than recorded crimes. The homicide figure is several years old, and the male rate in the same year was 2.0 per 100,000.

Official sources: GASTAT: Safety Index Publication 2025 · World Bank: intentional homicides, female, Saudi Arabia (UNODC)

How many people are arrested for corruption in Saudi Arabia?

Saudi Arabia's Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha) arrested 158 citizens and residents in September 2026 on charges including bribery and abuse of office, according to its monthly statement. It carried out 1,758 inspection rounds and investigated 381 suspects, including employees of the ministries of the Interior, Justice, Education, and Municipalities and Housing. Some of those arrested were released on bail.

The latest month's figures are shown on the Nazaha website. Cases are investigated under the Criminal Procedure Law and then referred to the courts, so the arrest figures are not convictions. Nazaha takes reports on a free hotline, 980.

Official sources: Nazaha: September 2026 statement (in Arabic) · Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha)

How much drugs are seized in Saudi Arabia?

Saudi customs foiled an attempt to smuggle 1,950,581 amphetamine pills hidden in a lentil shipment at Al Haditha port, the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) reported on 28 August 2026. On 14 August 2026 it reported a seizure of 58.6 kilograms of methamphetamine (shabu) hidden in shoes at Jeddah Islamic Port, after which three people were arrested, the ZATCA statement says.

These are single cases reported by ZATCA, not totals, so they do not measure overall drug trafficking. Arrests follow in coordination with the General Directorate of Narcotics Control. ZATCA takes smuggling reports on 1910.

Official sources: ZATCA: Al Haditha port seizure, 28 August 2026 · ZATCA: Jeddah Islamic Port seizure, 14 August 2026

How many murders are there in Saudi Arabia?

The latest figure from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, for 2019, is 0.9 per 100,000. That compares with 1.2 per 100,000 in 2007. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 1.1 per 100,000; Saudi Arabia is 10th highest of 15. Of 125 countries with 2019 data, 93rd highest.

How many women are murdered in Saudi Arabia?

According to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, the homicide rate for women in Saudi Arabia was 0.3 per 100,000 in 2017. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 0.4 per 100,000, and Saudi Arabia placed 7th highest of 11. Of 110 countries with 2017 data, 104th highest.

How many men are murdered in Saudi Arabia?

2.0 per 100,000: that is the homicide rate for men in Saudi Arabia for 2017, according to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 2.1 per 100,000; Saudi Arabia is 7th highest of 12. Of 110 countries with 2017 data, 74th highest.

How many people have died in armed conflict in Saudi Arabia?

The latest figure from the Uppsala Conflict Data Program, for 2023, is 9. Its high point since 2005 was 2016, at 120; its low point was 2020, at 0. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 469, and Saudi Arabia placed 9th highest of 9. Worldwide: 36th of 37.