How Gun Violence Compares Internationally

Gun violence varies dramatically around the world. According to UNODC data for 2023, Jamaica recorded the highest firearm homicide rate of the studied countries worldwide, with 41.9 deaths per 100,000 people, followed closely by Ecuador at 39.5. Mexico also stands out in the international comparison with 17.2 firearm-related homicides per 100,000 inhabitants.

The United States, while far below these Latin American and Caribbean hotspots, still reports a comparatively high rate of 4.4 among advanced economies. By contrast, firearm homicide rates remain very low in many developed countries, including Canada (0.7), Italy (0.2) and Australia and Spain (0.1 each). Iceland reported no firearm homicides in 2023.

Overall, the figures highlight a stark regional divide, with gun violence heavily concentrated in parts of Latin America and the Caribbean, where factors such as organized crime, gang warfare and weak law enforcement contribute to high homicide rates. At the same time, most high‑income countries with strict firearm regulations record particularly low levels of gun-related killings.