“Kidnapping” means unlawfully detaining a person or persons against their will (including through the use of force; threat; fraud or enticement) for the purpose of demanding for their liberation an illicit gain or any other economic gain or other material benefit; or in order to oblige someone to do or not to do something. “Kidnapping” excludes disputes over child custody. (UN-CTS M5.5)

Kidnapping rate (cases per 100,000 population)

2005201020112012201320142015
Algeria0.30.50.50.30.60.91.3
Egypt0.00.10.3
United Arab Emirates19.20.81.00.80.9
Kuwait12.4
Bahrain1.4
Syrian Arab Republic0.2
Iraq (Central Iraq)5.33.82.92.73.7