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Over the past decades, the number of reported crimes in Sweden generally increased, which can be explained by several factors: a significant increase in the Swedish population, which naturally results in more crime and convicted criminals, as well as a new culture of reporting crimes to the authorities. Considering the last 10 years, the total number of reported crimes increased slightly from 2015 to 2020, but the number of crimes per 100,000 inhabitant remained relatively stable. Despite this, Sweden has received increased international attention due to increasing gang violence in its biggest cities Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö. A quick look at the number of shootings over the past six years shows that the number of fatalities in shootings reached a new record in 2022. Moreover, a report published by the Swedish national council for crime prevention in 2021 found that Sweden was the only European country in which the number of fatal shootings per 100,000 inhabitant increased since 2000.
Compared to other European countries, Sweden's homicide rate was around the average, but higher than in most of its Nordic neighbors. In 2022, a total of 116 intentional homicides were registered in the Scandinavian country. Most of the victims of these were men. Interestingly, all cases that the police investigate as a possible murder or manslaughter are registered as such in Sweden, even if they are later found to have been accidents or suicides. Hence, the number of reported cases of homicides and manslaughter may actually be higher in Sweden than in other European countries with a more restrictive way of counting.
Falling number of crimes in 2021
Since 2020, the total number of reported crimes in Sweden decreased, falling by over 100,000 until 2022. This trend could be observed among almost all types of crime. For instance, after having increased steadily from 2016 to 2020, the number of reported drug-related crimes fell by over 10,000 from 2020 to 2022. Also the number of reported robberies fell from 2020. Theft crimes was the most reported type of crime in Sweden in 2022.
While most types of crimes decreased over the last year, the number of reported sexual offences continued to increased until 2021. Sweden is also one of few European countries that have made buying of sexual services illegal, meaning that these also are counted as sexual offences. The increasing number of reported sexual crimes may not necessarily mean that the actual number of these increased, but could also be down to an increased focus on reporting and awareness. Furthermore, Sweden introduced a widened and more differentiated definition of rape in 2018. Now, cases categorized as unintentional rapes are also reported. Despite the increase in absolute number of sexual offences in Sweden, the share of self-reported cases of sexual offences decreased slightly since 2018.
Clear gender differences
Looking at people suspected for having committed a criminal offence, men represent a clear majority of them. It is no surprise, then, that men made up over 9,500 of the nearly 10,300 people sentenced to prison in 2022. Moreover, men are overrepresented among the victims of crime in Sweden. Except for harassment and sexual abuse, a higher share of men than women reported to have been victims of all types of crime in 2022. Another gender difference can be observed among the victims of abuse, where a majority of the female victims knew the perpetrator, but a majority of the male victims did not.
This text provides general information. Statista assumes no liability for the information given being complete or correct. Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date data than referenced in the text.
Einar H. Dyvik Research expert covering Nordics and global data for society, economy, and politics 
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Key insights
- Number of reported crimes
- 1.45m
Detailed statistics
Number of committed crimes in Sweden 2010-2022
- Number of crimes per 100,000 inhabitants
- 13,800
Detailed statistics
Crime rate in Sweden 2010-2022
- Most reported crime
- Theft
Detailed statistics
Share of reported crimes in Sweden 2023, by type
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Overview
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- Basic Statistic Number of committed crimes in Sweden 2010-2022
- Basic Statistic Share of reported crimes in Sweden 2023, by type
- Basic Statistic Crime rate in Sweden 2010-2022
- Basic Statistic Change in crime rate in Sweden over last 10 years 2022, by type of crime
- Basic Statistic Number of crime suspects in Sweden 2012-2022, by gender
- Basic Statistic Share of self-reported crime victims in Sweden 2012-2022, by type of crime
- Basic Statistic Share of self-reported crime victims in Sweden 2022, by gender and type of crime
Overview
- Basic Statistic Number of committed crimes in Sweden 2010-2022
Number of committed crimes in Sweden 2010-2022
Number of committed crimes in Sweden from 2010 to 2022
- Basic Statistic Share of reported crimes in Sweden 2023, by type
Share of reported crimes in Sweden 2023, by type
Share of reported crimes in Sweden in 2023, by type of crime
- Basic Statistic Crime rate in Sweden 2010-2022
Crime rate in Sweden 2010-2022
Number of crimes per 100,000 inhabitants in Sweden from 2010 to 2022
- Basic Statistic Change in crime rate in Sweden over last 10 years 2022, by type of crime
Change in crime rate in Sweden over last 10 years 2022, by type of crime
Change in crime rate in Sweden from 2013 to 2022, by type of crime
- Basic Statistic Number of crime suspects in Sweden 2012-2022, by gender
Number of crime suspects in Sweden 2012-2022, by gender
Number of crime suspects in Sweden from 2012 to 2022, by gender
- Basic Statistic Share of self-reported crime victims in Sweden 2012-2022, by type of crime
Share of self-reported crime victims in Sweden 2012-2022, by type of crime
Share of self-reported crime victims in Sweden from 2012 to 2022, by type of crime
- Basic Statistic Share of self-reported crime victims in Sweden 2022, by gender and type of crime
Share of self-reported crime victims in Sweden 2022, by gender and type of crime
Share of self-reported crime victims in Sweden in 2022, by gender and type of crime
Violent crimes
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- Basic Statistic Number of homicides in Sweden 2013-2023
- Basic Statistic Number of homicides in Sweden 2022, by region
- Basic Statistic Number of murder and manslaughter victims in Sweden 2012-2022, by gender
- Basic Statistic Number of shootings in Sweden 2017-2023
- Basic Statistic Number of victims of abuse cases in Sweden 2012-2022, by gender
- Basic Statistic Number of victims of abuse in Sweden 2022, by gender and relation to perpetrator
- Basic Statistic Number of victims of child abuse in Sweden 2012-2022, by age group
- Basic Statistic Number of sexual offenses in Sweden 2013-2023, by type
Violent crimes
- Basic Statistic Number of homicides in Sweden 2013-2023
Number of homicides in Sweden 2013-2023
Number of homicides in Sweden from 2013 to 2023
- Basic Statistic Number of homicides in Sweden 2022, by region
Number of homicides in Sweden 2022, by region
Number of homicides in Sweden in 2022, by region
- Basic Statistic Number of murder and manslaughter victims in Sweden 2012-2022, by gender
Number of murder and manslaughter victims in Sweden 2012-2022, by gender
Number of victims of murder and manslaughter in Sweden from 2012 to 2022, by gender
- Basic Statistic Number of shootings in Sweden 2017-2023
Number of shootings in Sweden 2017-2023
Number of shootings in Sweden from 2017 to 2023
- Basic Statistic Number of victims of abuse cases in Sweden 2012-2022, by gender
Number of victims of abuse cases in Sweden 2012-2022, by gender
Number of victims of abuse cases in Sweden from 2012 to 2022, by gender
- Basic Statistic Number of victims of abuse in Sweden 2022, by gender and relation to perpetrator
Number of victims of abuse in Sweden 2022, by gender and relation to perpetrator
Number of victims of abuse in Sweden in 2022, by gender and relation to perpetrator
- Basic Statistic Number of victims of child abuse in Sweden 2012-2022, by age group
Number of victims of child abuse in Sweden 2012-2022, by age group
Number of victims of child abuse in Sweden from 2012 to 2022, by age group
- Basic Statistic Number of sexual offenses in Sweden 2013-2023, by type
Number of sexual offenses in Sweden 2013-2023, by type
Number of reported cases of sexual offenses in Sweden from 2013 to 2023, by type
Drug-related crimes
8
- Basic Statistic Number of drug-related crimes in Sweden 2012-2022
- Premium Statistic Number of drug-related crimes in Sweden 2012-2022, by type
- Premium Statistic Number of drug confiscations in Sweden 2015-2022
- Premium Statistic Volume of cannabis seizures by customs in Sweden 2015-2022, by type
- Premium Statistic Volume of cocaine seizures by customs in Sweden 2015-2022
- Premium Statistic Volume of amphetamines and methamphetamines seizures by customs in Sweden 2015-2022
- Premium Statistic Volume of heroin seizures by customs in Sweden 2015-2022
- Basic Statistic Number of people driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs in Sweden 2017-2022
Drug-related crimes
- Basic Statistic Number of drug-related crimes in Sweden 2012-2022
Number of drug-related crimes in Sweden 2012-2022
Number of drug-related crimes in Sweden from 2012 to 2022
- Premium Statistic Number of drug-related crimes in Sweden 2012-2022, by type
Number of drug-related crimes in Sweden 2012-2022, by type
Number of drug-related crimes in Sweden from 2012 to 2022, by type
- Premium Statistic Number of drug confiscations in Sweden 2015-2022
Number of drug confiscations in Sweden 2015-2022
Number of drug confiscations by customs in Sweden from 2015 to 2022
- Premium Statistic Volume of cannabis seizures by customs in Sweden 2015-2022, by type
Volume of cannabis seizures by customs in Sweden 2015-2022, by type
Volume of cannabis seizures by customs in Sweden from 2015 to 2022, by type (in kilograms)
- Premium Statistic Volume of cocaine seizures by customs in Sweden 2015-2022
Volume of cocaine seizures by customs in Sweden 2015-2022
Volume of cocaine seizures by customs in Sweden from 2015 to 2022 (in kilograms)
- Premium Statistic Volume of amphetamines and methamphetamines seizures by customs in Sweden 2015-2022
Volume of amphetamines and methamphetamines seizures by customs in Sweden 2015-2022
Volume of amphetamines and methamphetamines seizures by customs in Sweden from 2015 to 2022 (in kilograms)
- Premium Statistic Volume of heroin seizures by customs in Sweden 2015-2022
Volume of heroin seizures by customs in Sweden 2015-2022
Volume of heroin seizures by customs in Sweden from 2015 to 2022 (in kilograms)
- Basic Statistic Number of people driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs in Sweden 2017-2022
Number of people driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs in Sweden 2017-2022
Number of people driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs in Sweden from 2017 to 2022
Robberies
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- Basic Statistic Number of reported robberies in Sweden 2012-2022
- Basic Statistic Number of bank robberies in Sweden 2012-2022
- Basic Statistic Number of robberies in shops in Sweden 2012-2022
- Basic Statistic Number of robberies against people in Sweden 2012-2022
- Basic Statistic Number of robbery suspects in Sweden 2011-2022, by gender
- Basic Statistic Share of robberies solved in Sweden 2012-2022, by type
Robberies
- Basic Statistic Number of reported robberies in Sweden 2012-2022
Number of reported robberies in Sweden 2012-2022
Number of reported robberies in Sweden from 2012 to 2022
- Basic Statistic Number of bank robberies in Sweden 2012-2022
Number of bank robberies in Sweden 2012-2022
Number of bank robberies in Sweden from 2012 to 2022
- Basic Statistic Number of robberies in shops in Sweden 2012-2022
Number of robberies in shops in Sweden 2012-2022
Number of robberies in shops in Sweden from 2012 to 2022
- Basic Statistic Number of robberies against people in Sweden 2012-2022
Number of robberies against people in Sweden 2012-2022
Number of robberies against people in Sweden from 2012 to 2022
- Basic Statistic Number of robbery suspects in Sweden 2011-2022, by gender
Number of robbery suspects in Sweden 2011-2022, by gender
Number of robbery suspects in Sweden from 2011 to 2022, by gender
- Basic Statistic Share of robberies solved in Sweden 2012-2022, by type
Share of robberies solved in Sweden 2012-2022, by type
Share of robberies solved in Sweden from 2012 to 2022, by type
Imprisonment
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- Basic Statistic Number of people sentenced to imprisonment in Sweden 2012-2022
- Basic Statistic Number of people sentenced to imprisonment in Sweden 2022, by type of crime
- Basic Statistic Number of people sentenced to imprisonment in Sweden 2012-2022, by gender
- Basic Statistic Number of people sentenced to imprisonment in Sweden 2022, by age group
- Basic Statistic Number of non-Swedish citizens sentenced to imprisonment in Sweden 2012-2022
- Basic Statistic Number of people sentenced to imprisonment in Sweden 2022, by length of sentence
Imprisonment
- Basic Statistic Number of people sentenced to imprisonment in Sweden 2012-2022
Number of people sentenced to imprisonment in Sweden 2012-2022
Number of people sentenced to imprisonment in Sweden from 2012 to 2022
- Basic Statistic Number of people sentenced to imprisonment in Sweden 2022, by type of crime
Number of people sentenced to imprisonment in Sweden 2022, by type of crime
Number of people sentenced to imprisonment in Sweden 2022, by type of crime
- Basic Statistic Number of people sentenced to imprisonment in Sweden 2012-2022, by gender
Number of people sentenced to imprisonment in Sweden 2012-2022, by gender
Number of people sentenced to imprisonment in Sweden from 2012 to 2022, by gender
- Basic Statistic Number of people sentenced to imprisonment in Sweden 2022, by age group
Number of people sentenced to imprisonment in Sweden 2022, by age group
Number of people sentenced to imprisonment in Sweden in 2022, by age group
- Basic Statistic Number of non-Swedish citizens sentenced to imprisonment in Sweden 2012-2022
Number of non-Swedish citizens sentenced to imprisonment in Sweden 2012-2022
Number of people without a Swedish citizenship sentenced to imprisonment in Sweden from 2012 to 2022
- Basic Statistic Number of people sentenced to imprisonment in Sweden 2022, by length of sentence
Number of people sentenced to imprisonment in Sweden 2022, by length of sentence
Number of people sentenced to imprisonment in Sweden in 2022, by length of sentence
Police
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- Basic Statistic Number of police officers in Sweden 2012-2022
- Premium Statistic Number of police officers in Sweden 2022, by age group and gender
- Premium Statistic Number of police officers per 100,000 inhabitant in Sweden 2012-2022
- Premium Statistic Number of police officers in Sweden 2022, by region
- Premium Statistic Share of female police officers in Sweden 2022, by region
- Basic Statistic Trust in the police in Sweden 2017-2023
Police
- Basic Statistic Number of police officers in Sweden 2012-2022
Number of police officers in Sweden 2012-2022
Number of police officers in Sweden from 2012 to 2022
- Premium Statistic Number of police officers in Sweden 2022, by age group and gender
Number of police officers in Sweden 2022, by age group and gender
Number of police officers in Sweden in 2022, by age group and gender
- Premium Statistic Number of police officers per 100,000 inhabitant in Sweden 2012-2022
Number of police officers per 100,000 inhabitant in Sweden 2012-2022
Number of police officers per 100,000 inhabitant in Sweden from 2012 to 2022
- Premium Statistic Number of police officers in Sweden 2022, by region
Number of police officers in Sweden 2022, by region
Number of police officers in Sweden in 2022, by region
- Premium Statistic Share of female police officers in Sweden 2022, by region
Share of female police officers in Sweden 2022, by region
Share of police officers in Sweden who are women in 2022, by region
- Basic Statistic Trust in the police in Sweden 2017-2023
Trust in the police in Sweden 2017-2023
Share of respondents who have a high or very high trust in the police in Sweden from 2017 to 2023
