Timor-Leste: crime and justice

What is the crime rate in Timor-Leste?

The National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL) recorded 5,843 crimes in 2025, 6.6% fewer than in 2024, a rate of 413 per 100,000 people, according to INETL's Crime Statistics 2025 report, published on 15 September 2026. The rate was 443 in 2024.

Dili accounted for 50.3% of recorded crimes. Simple assault and mistreatment of a spouse were the most common offences, together 55.0% of the total. Recorded crime counts only incidents reported to or detected by the police, so changes can reflect reporting as well as crime. The report is in Tetum.

Official sources: INETL: Estatístika Kriminal 2025 (PDF)

Who are the victims of crime in Timor-Leste?

The National Police of Timor-Leste recorded 2,371 victims of crime in 2025, according to INETL's Crime Statistics 2025 report. 17.6% were recorded in Dili and 16.8% in Baucau, and people aged 20 to 39 made up 50.4% of victims.

The report also counts suspects by age and municipality and reports traffic accidents, deaths and injuries by month. Victim counts come from police records, so they include only crimes that reached the police.

Official sources: INETL: Estatístika Kriminal 2025 (PDF)

How many police officers are there in Timor-Leste?

The National Police of Timor-Leste had 3,981 officers in 2025, 3,380 men and 601 women, according to INETL's Crime Statistics 2025 report, using PNTL personnel data. The Special Police Unit had 711 officers and the Maritime Police Unit 180.

Officers are listed by posting, including the headquarters (Centro Geral) and each municipal command. For prisons, the same report counts 112 prisoners at Becora prison in Dili, 98 at Gleno and 121 at Suai in 2025, using Ministry of Justice data.

Official sources: INETL: Estatístika Kriminal 2025 (PDF)

What is the homicide rate in Timor-Leste?

The latest figure from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, for 2015, is 4.1 per 100,000. Its high point since 2005 was 2007, at 6.2 per 100,000; its low point was 2009, at 3.0 per 100,000. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 1.0 per 100,000, and Timor-Leste placed 3rd highest of 11. Of 120 countries with 2015 data, 47th highest.