Safest cities in Timor-Leste
1 city with 100k+ population · data updated 2026-09-04
What official travel advice warns about
Terrorism
- Terrorism in Timor-LesteAlthough there’s no recent history of terrorism in Timor-Leste, attacks cannot be ruled out.
Political situation
- The security situation in Timor-Leste has improved but there are still underlying tensions, particularly during election periods when the security situation could deteriorate with little warning.
Crime
- Protecting yourself and your belongingsYou can take steps to reduce your personal risk by:
- Sexual assaultThere have been reports of harassment and violence against travellers, including lewd remarks and indecent exposure. Offenders mostly target women, but may harass men as well. Sexual assault can happen in public places, such as Beach Road in Dili.
- Group fightsThere is occasional fighting between groups in Timor-Leste, sometimes related to martial arts groups. These incidents often involve stone throwing and occasionally machetes and knives. Most happen at night.
Laws and cultural differences
- Personal ID and travel documentsCarry a copy of the photo page of your passport and entry visa with you in case the authorities ask to see it. Make sure your travel documents are up-to-date and available in case you need to leave at short notice.
- Illegal drugs and prison sentencesDo not get involved with illegal drugs. There are severe penalties if you’re convicted.
- MoneyCredit cards are accepted for payments by few outlets in Timor-Leste. ATMs, banks, and credit card facilities are not common outside of municipal capitals.
Outdoor activities and adventure tourism
- Swimming safetyCrocodiles are frequently seen in inland waterways and on the south coast and the eastern region. Occasionally they may be seen at beaches near Dili. Get local advice before going in the water.
Transport risks
- Road travelIf you are planning to drive in Timor-Leste, see information on driving abroad.
- Driving and road conditionsRoads are generally in poor condition and accidents, particularly involving motorbikes and scooters, are common.
- Sea travelThere have been incidents of piracy on the waters around Timor-Leste. Consider taking precautions against piracy attacks.
Extreme weather and natural disasters
- Rainy seasonThe rainy season in Timor-Leste normally runs from November to April. Heavy rains can cause flash flooding and landslides. Monitor local and international weather updates from the World Meteorological Organisation. Take extreme care when walking on flooded pavements or roads in Dili. Uncovered manholes can lead to injuries or drowning.
- EarthquakesEarthquakes are a risk in Timor-Leste, although there has not been a significant one since 2005. The US Federal Emergency Management Agency website has advice about what to do before, during and after an earthquake.
Headings and opening lines from the UK FCDO “Safety and security” travel advice for Timor-Leste, updated 2025-12-10 (Open Government Licence v3.0). Read the full advice on gov.uk →
Country figures
- Homicide rate
- 4.07 /100k2015
- Income inequality
- Gini 28.72014
- Human development
- HDI 0.6342023
- Income
- $5,120/yrGNI per capita PPP
- Road deaths
- 11.9 /100kWHO, 2019
- Political stability
- 75/100WGI, 2024 · higher = more stable
- Rule of law
- 46/100WGI, 2024
- Corruption perceptions
- 44/100Transparency Intl, 2025 · higher = cleaner
- Natural-hazard risk
- 3.8/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Women, Peace & Security
- 0.67GIWPS, 2025 · 0-1, higher = better
- Air quality
- 12.0 µg/m³PM2.5, 2023 · WHO guideline is 5
- Safe drinking water
- no dataof population · WHO/UNICEF JMP
- Healthcare capacity
- 0.8 doctors /1k0.4 hospital beds per 1,000
- Malaria
- 0 /1k at riskWHO, 2024 · endemic countries only
Natural hazards
- Earthquake
- 5.7/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Tsunami
- 3.9/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Drought
- 1.9/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
Hazard types scoring under 1 out of 10 are not listed.
Same-sex sexual activity is legal in Timor-Leste (as of 2025).
How Timor-Leste compares
| Measure | Timor-Leste | World median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide rate | 4.1 /100k | 2.4 /100k | +1.7 /100k — better for World median |
| Income inequality (Gini) | 28.7 | 35.2 | −6.5 — better for Timor-Leste |
| Human development (HDI) | 0.634 | 0.763 | −0.129 — better for World median |
| Road deaths | 11.9 /100k | 15.4 /100k | −3.5 /100k — better for Timor-Leste |
| Rule of law | 46/100 | 52/100 | −6/100 — better for World median |
| Corruption perceptions | 44/100 | 39/100 | +5/100 — better for Timor-Leste |
| Air quality (PM2.5) | 12.0 µg/m³ | 19.7 µg/m³ | −7.7 µg/m³ — better for Timor-Leste |
| Natural-hazard risk | 3.8/10 | 3.8/10 | −0.0/10 |
| Measure | Timor-Leste | Asia median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide rate | 4.1 /100k | 1.5 /100k | +2.5 /100k — better for Asia median |
| Income inequality (Gini) | 28.7 | 33.6 | −4.9 — better for Timor-Leste |
| Human development (HDI) | 0.634 | 0.771 | −0.137 — better for Asia median |
| Road deaths | 11.9 /100k | 15.3 /100k | −3.4 /100k — better for Timor-Leste |
| Rule of law | 46/100 | 52/100 | −6/100 — better for Asia median |
| Corruption perceptions | 44/100 | 35/100 | +10/100 — better for Timor-Leste |
| Air quality (PM2.5) | 12.0 µg/m³ | 28.6 µg/m³ | −16.6 µg/m³ — better for Timor-Leste |
| Natural-hazard risk | 3.8/10 | 3.6/10 | +0.2/10 — better for Asia 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.
All 1 cities, safest first
- Dili70.4 · #3353 worldwide