New York: Bangladesh’s capital, Dhaka, has emerged as the city with the highest crime index among major South Asian cities while also ranking as the least safe in the region, according to the 2026 Crime and Safety Index published by global data platform Numbeo.
According to the report, Dhaka recorded a Crime Index of 62.2, the highest among South Asian cities surveyed. Its Safety Index stands at just 37.8, placing it at the bottom of the regional rankings for public safety.
The findings indicate that major cities in Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal all scored better than Dhaka on safety. The report also suggests that many residents of Dhaka feel unsafe walking alone at night and frequently express concerns about crime.
Globally, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, was ranked the world’s safest city, with a Crime Index of 11.1 and a Safety Index of 88.9, highlighting the significant contrast with Dhaka.
Crime and Safety Index of Major South Asian Cities
| City | Crime Index | Safety Index |
|---|---|---|
| Dhaka, Bangladesh | 62.2 | 37.8 |
| Karachi, Pakistan | 59.1 | 40.9 |
| Delhi, India | 59.1 | 40.9 |
| Ghaziabad, India | 58.4 | 41.6 |
| Noida, India | 55.1 | 44.9 |
| Gurugram, India | 54.1 | 45.9 |
| Bengaluru, India | 54.0 | 46.0 |
| Rawalpindi, Pakistan | 51.6 | 48.4 |
| Colombo, Sri Lanka | 42.6 | 57.4 |
| Kathmandu, Nepal | 36.7 | 63.3 |
| Islamabad, Pakistan | 31.4 | 68.6 |
| Mangaluru, India | 25.6 | 74.4 |
In the global rankings, Dhaka placed 59th among major cities with the highest crime levels, putting it among the top 15 percent of cities worldwide for crime and lack of safety.
Among South Asia’s safest cities, Mangaluru in India recorded a Safety Index of 74.4, followed by Islamabad in Pakistan at 68.6. The report also indicates that cities such as Karachi—often associated with security challenges—received higher safety scores than Dhaka.
Numbeo is an international crowd-sourced database that regularly publishes comparative indices on cities and countries, covering topics such as crime, cost of living, housing, healthcare, traffic, and quality of life. Its 2026 Crime and Safety Index underscores growing concerns over law and order and public safety in Bangladesh’s capital.
