Murder Capital Of Europe: Discovering Europe's Homicide Rates

Europe is considered safe, but there are still crimes. Some countries and cities have recorded high murder rates. The homicide rate has increased in different regions over the past years.

In this article, we will discuss the murder capital of Europe. We will share the recent statistics of 15 countries to give you an idea of their homicide rates. We will also share some safety tips for residents and travelers.

What Is The Murder Capital Of Europe?

Latvia is considered the murder capital of Europe. The reason behind this is the consistently high homicide rate each year. The recent homicide rate of the country is over 4 homicides per 100,000 residents, which is the highest murder rate in Europe.

If we look at the cities, Tallinn (Estonia) and Kaunas (Lithuania) are two top contenders with extremely high homicide rates in Europe. Tallinn (Estonia) has a homicide rate of 5.5 per 100,000 residents, which includes mainly domestic disputes. The homicide rate of Kaunas (Lithuania) is 5.4 per 100,000 residents, which is largely driven by alcohol-related violence.

15 Countries With Highest Murder Rate In Europe

Latvia

Latvia is one of the most dangerous countries, having the highest homicide rate in Europe. According to Statista, the homicide rate was estimated to be 4.2 per 100,000 inhabitants. Latvia has the biggest issue with domestic violence, and intentional homicide is notably higher.

Turkey

Turkey is the 2nd most dangerous country, where homicides are at a higher rate. Femicides are a common and notable issue in Turkey. Over 394 homicide crimes were reported in 2024, and the victims are mostly women. Reportedly, sharp instruments and weapons are commonly used for homicides.

Lithuania

Lithuania is the 3rd most dangerous country in Europe, having high homicide rates. According to the recent stats by Statista, the homicide rate was recorded to be 2.41 per 100,000 residents. The homicides are usually recorded due to alcohol abuse and assaults. However, firearm homicides are less common in the city.

Belgium

Belgium also has higher murder rates, but at a declining level compared to its previous history. According to the recent statistics, the murder rate was estimated to be 1.38 per 100,000 inhabitants. In 2022, over 1400 murders and manslaughter cases were recorded by Belgian police.

Estonia

Estonia records a homicide rate of 1.32 per 100,000 residents, which has significantly declined after 90s. The homicide cases are often linked with domestic violence and alcohol issues. Cultural factors like alcohol consumption and social disputes are also major contributors.

France

France is majorly affected by drug trafficking, terrorism, and domestic violence. Other cities like Paris also have higher murder rates. However, France has a homicide rate of 1.3 per 1 million inhabitants.

Iceland

Iceland has higher homicide rates due to poverty and gang-related activities. Firearms are easy to access, due to which warfare between gangs is also seen. According to Statista, the murders were recorded to be 1.29 per 100,000 residents.

North Macedonia

North Macedonia has a moderate murder rate, and the major drivers are domestic issues. Other possible murder reasons include land disputes and gang rivalries. The estimated homicide rate is around 1.26 per 100,000 residents.

Albania

Albania has an estimated homicide rate of 1.23 per 1 million inhabitants. They usually arise due to higher smuggling and domestic violence rates. Moreover, they are affected by poverty and low education. The homicide cases are usually committed with firearms.

Serbia

Serbia is often linked with various conflicts, economic issues, and femicides. According to the recent stats, Serbia has a homicide rate of 1.17 per 100,000 people.

Bulgaria

The homicides were mainly recorded due to personal rivalry between families, jealousy, and other conflicts. The stats were recorded to be 1.15 per 1 million people. Additionally, target killings and mafia conflicts are top-rated crimes.

Finland

Finland is another country with homicide rates being higher than average. The main reasons include physical abuse, social and economic problems, and drinking culture. However, firearms are less common, and gang rivalries are rare in the country. According to Statista, the estimated homicide rate is over 1.15 per 1 million residents.

Sweden

Sweden was a peaceful country, but the homicide cases are increasing. The cases were recorded to be 1.15 per 100,000 residents. The network is getting stronger due to high drug dealings with criminals. Mostly, young men are found to be the victims of such crimes.

Slovakia

Although Slovakia has a lower homicide rate of around 1.14 per 100.000 inhabitants, it is still a risky number for this size of area. Moreover, domestic violence and targeted shootings are also major concerns.

Cyprus

Cyprus has a low homicide rate, but it still exists, which could be concerning. Violent crimes are generally lower, but homicides are committed with firearms. According to the recent stats, the homicide rate was found to be 1.05 per 1 million residents.

Why These Europe Areas Show Higher Murder Rate

These European countries show a higher murder rate not only due to the rising criminal conflicts but also due to poverty, injustice, and socioeconomic problems taking a major chunk.

• The major reasons for the higher murder rate are gang rivalries, access to firearms, and domestic violence.
• Due to high unemployment throughout the country, the youth are also involved in criminal activities.
• The biggest enemy is drug trafficking, which is common in every country and in some parts considered a part of the culture. After its consumption, it usually leads to some serious consequences, including murders and other violent crimes.

Safety Tips For Residents And Visitors

• Do proper research on each country and find the safest one to live in and travel in Europe.
  You should keep yourself away from any gang activities near any bar or roadside. Do not talk to strangers on the streets.

• Always travel in a trusted transport and avoid travelling alone at night. Stick to well-lit and public areas.

• Avoid showing any wealth and expensive items. Keep your valuable items hidden while walking or traveling in public transport.

• It is recommended to use a burner phone to call emergency services quickly. Keep noticing your surroundings; If you find anything unusual, contact the police immediately.

• For home security, you can opt for Reolink security cameras. They help you record every activity in high resolution and send real-time alerts.
  

  

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FAQs

Which country has the largest murders in Europe?

Latvia is one of the most dangerous countries in Europe, having a large murder rate. According to Statista, it has a homicide rate of around 4.2 per 100,000 residents.

Which city in Europe is safest?

Zurich is one of the safest cities in Europe. It has a minimal crime rate of around 5.2 crimes per 1000 residents. The safety is due to high police patrolling and strong community support.

What is the crime capital of the UK?

London is often called the crime capital due to extremely high crime rates. It is mainly due to the larger population and area. According to the recent report, it has an overall crime rate of 81 crimes per 1000 residents.

Conclusion

The homicide rates in Europe have increased over the past few years. Some countries, like Latvia and Lithuania, have topped with high homicide rates. We have shared the recent homicide rates of European countries and the common reasons behind them. But no matter where you travel or live, make sure to take safety measures on your own to avoid being a victim of crime.