Global crime

How do crime rates vary around the world? And how reliable is the data?

Introduction

Personal safety is a major determinant of quality of life. But where in the world are people most at risk for criminal victimization? And where are people safest?

Though simple to ask, these questions are more difficult to answer than one might think. Countries differ in the data they report and track, and, more importantly, in the reliability of their data.

Still, this article attempts to answer these central questions. In doing so, we will also discuss the various sources of evidence that are used, and how reliable they are.