A striking comparison of homicide rates across South America highlights a sharp concentration of extremely high reported rates in several cities in Ecuador, with Colombian cities also appearing among the continent’s highest-ranked urban areas.

According to the figures shown in the supplied graphic, Babahoyo, Ecuador, records the highest rate among the listed cities, at 166.02 homicides per 100,000 people. It is followed closely by Durán, also in Ecuador, with a reported rate of 164.60 per 100,000.

The ranking shows the scale of the disparity between some cities and the broader national-level figures commonly used to assess violent crime.

Ecuadorian Cities Lead the Ranking

Six of the 10 cities featured in the graphic are located in Ecuador.

After Babahoyo and Durán, Machala ranks third with 116.65, while Quevedo records 109.01. Ecuador’s largest city, Guayaquil, is listed at 91.10, followed by Esmeraldas at 90.56 homicides per 100,000 people.

The concentration of Ecuadorian cities at the top of the list makes the country particularly prominent in this comparison.

Colombian Cities Also Feature

Four Colombian cities appear in the top 10.

Palmira ranks seventh with a reported homicide rate of 55.67 per 100,000 people. It is followed by Cali at 46.84, Buenaventura at 44.98, and Cúcuta at 41.64.

Although their reported rates are considerably below those of the leading Ecuadorian cities in the graphic, they remain high in the presented South American urban comparison.

A Broader Regional Picture

The map accompanying the ranking also illustrates considerable differences in homicide rates across South American countries. The figures displayed for individual countries range widely, underscoring why national averages can sometimes conceal substantial differences between regions and cities.

Urban violence can be influenced by numerous factors, including organized crime, drug trafficking, economic conditions, availability of firearms, institutional capacity and social inequality. However, homicide statistics alone cannot explain the causes behind differences between individual cities.

Why City-Level Data Matters

Comparing homicide rates at the city level can provide a more detailed picture of where lethal violence is concentrated. A national figure may appear moderate while particular metropolitan areas or municipalities experience dramatically higher levels of violence.

For policymakers, reliable local data can therefore be important for directing policing, crime prevention, social programs and other public-safety measures toward communities facing the greatest risks.

The figures in the graphic should nevertheless be interpreted carefully because homicide rates can vary depending on the year, methodology, population estimates and data source used. They should not be treated as a definitive current ranking without verification against the original statistical source.

The comparison nevertheless illustrates a significant regional trend: some South American cities experience homicide rates many times higher than others, with Ecuadorian cities particularly prominent in this specific list.

Top 10 Cities Shown in the Graphic

Rank City Country Homicide rate per 100,000 1 Babahoyo 🇪🇨 Ecuador 166.02 2 Durán 🇪🇨 Ecuador 164.60 3 Machala 🇪🇨 Ecuador 116.65 4 Quevedo 🇪🇨 Ecuador 109.01 5 Guayaquil 🇪🇨 Ecuador 91.10 6 Esmeraldas 🇪🇨 Ecuador 90.56 7 Palmira 🇨🇴 Colombia 55.67 8 Cali 🇨🇴 Colombia 46.84 9 Buenaventura 🇨🇴 Colombia 44.98 10 Cúcuta 🇨🇴 Colombia 41.64