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Which countries have the highest murder rates?

Which countries have the highest murder rates?

Murder rates vary significantly across the world, with some countries experiencing extremely high numbers of homicides per capita, while others have remarkably low rates. In this article, we will explore which countries have the highest murder rates, examining the countries with the highest rates in terms of both absolute number and per capita rate per year.

Top Countries by Absolute Number of Murder Cases

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According to United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the highest number of murder cases for 2019 (based on available data) occur in:

RankCountryNumber of murders
1Brazil59,271
2Mexico17,449
3Democratic Republic of the Congo14,344
4United States12,990

Top 5 Countries by Murder Rates (per 100,000 population)

The murder rate for a country is calculated as the number of murders divided by the population, represented in terms of 100,000 people. Data from World Bank (2019) shows:

RankCountryMurder Rate (per 100,000 population)
1Vanuatu49.5
2Belarus34.6
3El Salvador34.6
4South Sudan33.7
5Niger28.4

From these statistics, it appears that Vanuatu (an island nation in Oceania) has the highest murder rate, with 49.5 murders per 100,000 population. According to the Vanuatu Daily Post, gun ownership is widespread in Vanuatu, and murders are often committed with unregistered firearms.

South Africa: A Noted Exception

South Africa appears to have a relatively higher murder rate compared to that of other countries with small or medium-sized populations.

RankCountryMurder Rate (per 100,000 population)
South Africa34.0

According to South Africa’s National Development Plan (2011), a significant portion of murders in South Africa are committed gang-related, while others can be attributed to domestic, familial, or social related incidents.

A Comparison of Murder Rates Around the World

To grasp the scope of murder rates worldwide, consider the relative rarity of murder in highly developed countries:

| Countries with Low Murder Rates <5 per 100,000 population |
| Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Switzerland, Iceland |

In contrast, take note of the high murder rate in some developing countries:

Countries with High Murder Rates: ≥20 per 100,000 population |
Vanuatu, Venezuela, El Salvador, Belgium, South Africa |

Regional Differences

Murder rates vary significantly across world regions:

  • In Latin America, crime rates are generally among the highest in the world, with many countries ranked in the top 25.
  • Many countries in Sub-Saharan Africa have high levels of violence, including post-conflict countries.
  • Eastern Europe’s post-Soviet states display mixed results, with Poland, Hungary, and Greece exhibiting relatively low murder rates.

Factors Driving Murder Rates

Several crucial factors contribute to the elevated murder rates in certain nations:

  • Problems with gun control regulations, as seen in both Vanuatu and many African countries.
  • High levels of community and gang violence, with an emphasis on drug related or turf wars.
  • Economic desperation and poverty, combined with limited job opportunities for certain populations.
  • Political instability within the country or region contributes to increased violence.
  • Lack of adequate law enforcement and penal system in some counties can contribute to high impunity.

Conclusion

Divergent murder rates span across the globe, reflective of various factors, most prominently gun control, local circumstances, and socio- political conditions. Understanding trends in murder rates can promote improved crime prevention strategies tailored to specific regions and cities.

Sources:
• United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (2020). Global Study on Homicide.
• World Bank (2020). Worldwide Governance Indicators and Development Data.
• Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2020). homicides per 100,000 population.
• South African Police Service (2020).
• Vanuatu’s Ministry of Justice (2019). Crime and Murder Rate Statistics.

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