Vatican City technically boasts the highest crime rate per capita in the entire world, despite being the global headquarters of the Catholic Church and having a population of only about eight hundred people.

A closer look

Vatican City technically boasts the highest crime rate per capita in the entire world, despite being the global headquarters of the Catholic Church and having a population of only about eight hundred people. This statistical anomaly happens because millions of tourists flood St. Peter's Square every year, attracting hordes of opportunistic pickpockets who view distracted, camera-toting pilgrims as the ultimate easy prey. Since the crimes are committed against tourists who leave immediately, and the tiny sovereign state has a minuscule number of permanent residents, the math gets severely skewed. It is delightfully ironic that a place dedicated to absolute spiritual purity and divine salvation is statistically the most likely spot on earth where you will get your wallet stolen while staring blankly at a very old, very expensive ceiling