Safest cities in Mali
8 cities with 100k+ population · data updated 2026-09-04
What official travel advice warns about
Terrorism
- Terrorism in MaliTerrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Mali.
- Terrorist kidnapThere is a very high threat of kidnapping by al-Qa’ida and Islamic State-aligned groups in Mali. JNIM and ISSP operate throughout Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso. JNIM, in particular, has previously conducted kidnappings from all parts of Mali, including in urban areas and the capital, Bamako. In 2025, there was been an increase in kidnaps in…
Political situation
- On 24 May 2021, the vice-president, Colonel Assimi Goïta, detained the transitional President Bah N’Daw and Prime Minister Moctar Ouane, along with other members of the transitional government. Goïta was sworn in as head of state in June 2021. Presidential elections, originally scheduled for February 2024, were postponed.
Crime
- Personal safetyThe level of violent crime is high, especially in the capital Bamako and southern regions. Be alert to the risk of street crime, armed robbery and kidnapping.
- Criminal kidnappingKidnapping by criminal groups is widespread across Mali. There has been an increase in kidnappings of western nationals and gangs operate throughout Mali, including in Gao and Keyes regions. There is a possibility that criminal groups could sell people they kidnap as hostages to terrorist organisations.
- Vehicle crimeThere have been incidents of carjacking and kidnap across the country. If you are travelling against FCDO advice, beware of the threat to your vehicle and get advice from a security company or personal sponsor. There have been reports of vehicles driven by foreign nationals being vandalised.
Laws and cultural differences
- Personal IDAs a foreign national, you must carry ID such as a passport. You could face difficulties with security checks if you do not have the original document on you.
- RamadanRamadan is a holy month for Muslims. The dates vary by year and country. During this time, do not:
- Using camerasDo not take pictures of military or government installations. Always ask permission before taking photographs that include local people.
- Commercial disputesIf you’re involved in or connected to a business or civil dispute in Mali, the Malian authorities may detain you, prosecute you or prevent you from leaving Mali until the matter is resolved.
- LGBT+ travellersHomosexuality is illegal in Mali. In December 2024, Mali’s National Transitional Council promulgated a new Penal Code which criminalises the promotion or participation in consensual same-sex relationships. The legislation introduced penalties of up to seven years imprisonment and fines of up to 500,000 francs.
Transport risks
- Road travelIf you are planning to drive in Mali, see information on driving abroad.
- Road safetyRoad conditions in Bamako are difficult during the rainy season from June to October. Roads outside Bamako are often damaged and dangerous. Other road users may drive unpredictably.
- Fuel shortagesThere is currently a fuel shortage in Mali. Where fuel is available, there can often be long lines and in many parts of the country the price of fuel has increased. Plan ahead to make sure you can reach your destination.
- Air travelInbound and outbound flights, including international flights, can be cancelled at short notice or diverted to an alternative location. Monitor messages from your carrier, and be prepared to make arrangements to stay overnight in a safe location.
Extreme weather and natural disasters
- The rainy season in Mali is from June to October. Heavy rains can cause floods and landslides. Monitor local weather reports and expect difficulties when travelling to affected areas during this season.
Headings and opening lines from the UK FCDO “Safety and security” travel advice for Mali, updated 2026-07-10 (Open Government Licence v3.0). Read the full advice on gov.uk →
Country figures
- Homicide rate
- no data
- Income inequality
- Gini 35.72021
- Human development
- HDI 0.4192023
- Income
- $3,400/yrGNI per capita PPP
- Road deaths
- 22.7 /100kWHO, 2019
- Political stability
- 23/100WGI, 2024 · higher = more stable
- Rule of law
- 38/100WGI, 2024
- Corruption perceptions
- 28/100Transparency Intl, 2025 · higher = cleaner
- Natural-hazard risk
- 7.3/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Women, Peace & Security
- 0.48GIWPS, 2025 · 0-1, higher = better
- Air quality
- 35.5 µg/m³PM2.5, 2023 · WHO guideline is 5
- Safe drinking water
- no dataof population · WHO/UNICEF JMP
- Healthcare capacity
- 0.2 doctors /1k0.3 hospital beds per 1,000
- Malaria
- 346 /1k at riskWHO, 2024 · endemic countries only
Natural hazards
- Flood
- 7.9/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Drought
- 6.7/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
Hazard types scoring under 1 out of 10 are not listed.
Same-sex sexual activity is legal in Mali (as of 2025).
How Mali compares
| Measure | Mali | World median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide rate | no data | 2.4 /100k | — |
| Income inequality (Gini) | 35.7 | 35.2 | +0.5 — better for World median |
| Human development (HDI) | 0.419 | 0.763 | −0.344 — better for World median |
| Road deaths | 22.7 /100k | 15.4 /100k | +7.3 /100k — better for World median |
| Rule of law | 38/100 | 52/100 | −14/100 — better for World median |
| Corruption perceptions | 28/100 | 39/100 | −11/100 — better for World median |
| Air quality (PM2.5) | 35.5 µg/m³ | 19.7 µg/m³ | +15.8 µg/m³ — better for World median |
| Natural-hazard risk | 7.3/10 | 3.8/10 | +3.5/10 — better for World median |
| Measure | Mali | Africa median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide rate | no data | 4.5 /100k | — |
| Income inequality (Gini) | 35.7 | 38.5 | −2.8 — better for Mali |
| Human development (HDI) | 0.419 | 0.563 | −0.144 — better for Africa median |
| Road deaths | 22.7 /100k | 28.2 /100k | −5.5 /100k — better for Mali |
| Rule of law | 38/100 | 42/100 | −4/100 — better for Africa median |
| Corruption perceptions | 28/100 | 31/100 | −3/100 — better for Africa median |
| Air quality (PM2.5) | 35.5 µg/m³ | 27.3 µg/m³ | +8.2 µg/m³ — better for Africa median |
| Natural-hazard risk | 7.3/10 | 5.2/10 | +2.1/10 — better for Africa median |
Medians, not means, so one extreme country cannot drag the reference value. Each row compares only the countries that have a published figure for that measure, and differences are plain arithmetic between stored values.