📈 The Numbers
- 2024 Homicides: 300 total
- Rate per 100,000: 11.04 (lowest since 1942)
- Absolute numbers: Lowest since 1976
- Peak comparison: Down from 6,349 homicides in 1991
Medellín, once known as the murder capital of the world, has achieved a historic milestone: the city recorded its lowest homicide rate in 82 years in 2024. With just 300 homicides—a rate of 11.04 per 100,000 inhabitants—the city has completed one of the most remarkable urban transformations in modern history.
For expats and tourists, this isn't just a statistic. It's validation of what many long-term residents have been saying for years: Medellín has fundamentally changed, and the city you see in old documentaries and TV shows no longer exists.
Putting the Numbers in Perspective
In 1991, at the height of Pablo Escobar's war against the Colombian state, Medellín recorded 6,349 homicides—a rate of 416.4 per 100,000 residents. That earned the city the grim title of "Murder Capital of the World."
Today's rate of 11.04 per 100,000 represents a 97% reduction in per capita murders. To put this in perspective: Medellín is now statistically safer than many major U.S. cities.
How Does Medellín Compare?
| City | Homicide Rate (per 100,000) |
|---|---|
| Santiago, Chile | 3.3 |
| Buenos Aires, Argentina | 4.6 |
| São Paulo, Brazil | 6.1 |
| Lima, Peru | 8.9 |
| Mexico City | 9.0 |
| Medellín, Colombia | 11.04 |
| New Orleans, USA | 40.0+ |
| Tijuana, Mexico | 100+ |
Medellín's rate is now comparable to—or better than—many cities across Latin America that don't carry the same historical stigma. Meanwhile, Mexican cities like Colima, Ciudad Obregón, and Tijuana report rates exceeding 100 per 100,000.
What Changed?
The transformation wasn't accidental. It resulted from decades of coordinated efforts:
Urban innovation: The famous MetroCable system, outdoor escalators in Comuna 13, and library parks brought investment and infrastructure to previously marginalized neighborhoods.
Social programs: Education initiatives, job training, and youth programs provided alternatives to gang involvement.
Negotiated peace: Local gangs and armed groups have been included in various pacts and agreements that dramatically reduced targeted killings and territorial violence.
Police reform: Increased community policing and tourist-focused security in key neighborhoods improved both actual and perceived safety.
✅ What This Means for Visitors
The statistical reality now matches what most visitors experience: Medellín feels safe in tourist areas. Walking through El Poblado, Laureles, Envigado, or Sabaneta at night, you'll see families, couples, and solo travelers enjoying the city without fear.
This doesn't mean you should abandon common sense—petty theft and scams still occur—but violent crime targeting tourists is genuinely rare in the areas where visitors spend their time.
The Caveats
⚠️ Important Context
While overall homicide rates have plummeted, other concerns persist:
• Scopolamine drugging: Remains a serious threat, particularly for men using dating apps
• Petty theft: Phone snatching and pickpocketing still occur in crowded areas
• Certain neighborhoods: The dramatic improvement is concentrated in tourist and middle-class areas; some peripheral comunas remain challenging
• Tourist-specific crimes: Express kidnappings and robberies targeting foreigners still happen, though rarely
The homicide rate measures just one type of crime. As a visitor, you're far more likely to encounter petty theft than violence. The fundamentals of staying safe in Medellín remain the same: don't flash expensive items, use Uber/DiDi at night, be cautious with strangers you meet through dating apps, and stick to well-known neighborhoods.
The Bigger Picture
Medellín's transformation is often cited as one of the most successful urban renewals in history. The city that produced Pablo Escobar now produces innovation, tourism, and hope.
For the millions of tourists, digital nomads, and expats who have made Medellín their home or destination in recent years, this milestone validates what they already knew: the City of Eternal Spring has earned a new reputation.
That doesn't mean the work is done. But for visitors wondering "Is Medellín safe?"—the numbers now provide a clear answer: safer than it's been in nearly a century, and safer than many cities that don't carry the same historical baggage.
Last updated: December 18, 2025. Statistics sourced from ColombiaOne, Mayor Federico Gutiérrez's office, and DANE (Colombia's national statistics department).