Crime worldwide - Statistics & Facts
Acts of crime occur all around the world, both in richer and poorer countries. Crime involves harming other people or damaging the property of others, including common goods belonging to the society. Crime acts range from threats and harassment, domestic violence, larceny, illegal possession of guns or drugs, cybercrime, to violent offences such as sexual assaults, homicide, or human trafficking.
However, these numbers do not include victims killed in violent conflict or war. For instance, people living in Pakistan had the highest risk of becoming victims of a genocide in 2022, followed by Yemenis. A high number of countries on the list are found in Africa. That year, there were 21 ongoing wars in the world, 16 of these being fought in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Highest murder rates in Latin America
Violent crimes tend to occur more frequently in countries and regions where a high number of the population lives in poverty, and where government institutions are weak. This explains the high murder rates found in some Latin American countries. Of the 10 countries with the highest murder rates in worldwide, seven were found in Latin America, the other three being in Africa. El Salvador, the country with the highest homicide rate globally, had a ,murder rate of 52 per 100,000 inhabitants. Many of the most dangerous cities in the world are also found in Latin America. The list was dominated by cities in Mexico, with St. Louis in the United States having the highest murder rate outside Mexico.However, these numbers do not include victims killed in violent conflict or war. For instance, people living in Pakistan had the highest risk of becoming victims of a genocide in 2022, followed by Yemenis. A high number of countries on the list are found in Africa. That year, there were 21 ongoing wars in the world, 16 of these being fought in Sub-Saharan Africa.
