Safety
Background
Personal security is a core element for the well-being of individuals, and includes the risks of people being physically assaulted or falling victim to other types of crime. Crime may lead to loss of life and property, as well as physical pain, post-traumatic stress and anxiety. One of the biggest impacts of crime on people’s well-being appears to be through the feeling of vulnerability that it causes.
Feeling safe walking alone at night
According to recent data, about 74% of people in OECD countries say they feel safe walking alone at night. There are major differences, however, between countries. While 85% or more of people in Austria, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Luxembourg, Norway, Slovenia, and Switzerland say they feel safe, the level in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica and Mexico is just below 50%, and below 40% in South Africa.
Homicide rate
Homicide rates (the number of murders per 100 000 inhabitants) only represent the most extreme form of contact crime and thus do not provide information about more typical safety conditions. They are however a more reliable measure of a country’s safety level because, unlike other crimes, murders are usually always reported to the police. According to the latest OECD data, the average homicide rate in the OECD is 2.6 murders per 100 000 inhabitants.
In most OECD countries, homicide rates for men are usually higher than those affecting women, with rates of 4.4 per 100 000 for men and 0.9 per 100 000 for women on average for the most recent data. However, while men are more likely to be homicide victims, women are the primary victims of domestic and intimate partner violence. EU data based on police-recorded offences indicate that 86% of the victims of sexual violence are women. Across the OECD as a whole, 82% of men and 66% of women feel safe when walking alone at night in the area where they live.
Social status also has an impact on victimisation rates and perceptions of security. People with higher income and higher education usually report higher feelings of security and face lower risks of crime. This can be explained by the fact they can afford better security and are less exposed to criminal activities such as youth gangs or drug smuggling.
Note: data for the indicator "Feeling safe walking alone at night" is provided by the Gallup World Poll.
Top Ranking
Indicators
Find Out More
Safety in Detail by Country
lva Safety - Latvia expand
Key Findings
Personal security is a core element for the well-being of individuals. Do you feel safe out walking, alone at night, for example? In Latvia, about 72% of people say that they feel safe walking alone at night, slightly less than the OECD average of 74%.
The homicide rate (the number of murders per 100 000 inhabitants) is a more reliable measure of a country's safety level because, unlike other crimes, murders are usually always reported to the police. According to the latest OECD data, Latvia's homicide rate is 3.7, higher than the OECD average of 2.6.
More Resources
Indicators
zaf Safety - South Africa expand
Key Findings
Personal security is a core element for the well-being of individuals. Do you feel safe out walking, alone at night, for example? In South Africa, 40% of people say that they feel safe walking alone at night, much less than the OECD average of 74%.
The homicide rate (the number of murders per 100 000 inhabitants) is a more reliable measure of a country's safety level because, unlike other crimes, murders are usually always reported to the police. According to the latest OECD data, South Africa's homicide rate is 13.7, much higher than the OECD average of 2.6.
More Resources
Indicators
aus Safety – Australia expand
Key Findings
Personal security is a core element for the well-being of individuals. Do you feel safe out walking, alone at night, for example? In Australia, about 67% of people say that they feel safe walking alone at night, less than the OECD average of 74%.
The homicide rate (the number of murders per 100 000 inhabitants) is a more reliable measure of a country's safety level because, unlike other crimes, murders are usually always reported to the police. According to the latest OECD data, Australia's homicide rate is 0.9, lower than the OECD average of 2.6.
Indicators
aut Safety – Austria expand
Key Findings
Personal security is a core element for the well-being of individuals. Do you feel safe out walking, alone at night, for example? In Austria, about 86% of people say that they feel safe walking alone at night, more than the OECD average of 74%.
The homicide rate (the number of murders per 100 000 inhabitants) is a more reliable measure of a country's safety level because, unlike other crimes, murders are usually always reported to the police. According to the latest OECD data, Austria's homicide rate is 0.5, lowesr than the OECD average of 2.6.
More Resources
Indicators
bel Safety – Belgium expand
Key Findings
Personal security is a core element for the well-being of individuals. Do you feel safe out walking, alone at night, for example? In Belgium, about 56% of people say that they feel safe walking alone at night, less than the OECD average of 74%.
The homicide rate (the number of murders per 100 000 inhabitants) is a more reliable measure of a country's safety level because, unlike other crimes, murders are usually always reported to the police. According to the latest OECD data, Belgium's homicide rate is 1.1, lower than the OECD average of 2.6.
More Resources
Indicators
bra Safety – Brazil expand
Key Findings
Personal security is a core element for the well-being of individuals. Do you feel safe out walking, alone at night, for example? In Brazil, about 45% of people say that they feel safe walking alone at night, much less than the OECD average of 74%.
The homicide rate (the number of murders per 100 000 inhabitants) is a more reliable measure of a country's safety level because, unlike other crimes, murders are usually always reported to the police. According to the latest OECD data, Brazil's homicide rate is 19, more than seven times the OECD average of 2.6.
More Resources
Indicators
can Safety – Canada expand
Key Findings
Personal security is a core element for the well-being of individuals. Do you feel safe out walking, alone at night, for example? In Canada, about 78% of people say that they feel safe walking alone at night, more than the OECD average of 74%.
The homicide rate (the number of murders per 100 000 inhabitants) is a more reliable measure of a country's safety level because, unlike other crimes, murders are usually always reported to the police. According to the latest OECD data, Canada's homicide rate is 1.2, lower than the OECD average of 2.6.
More Resources
Indicators
chl Safety – Chile expand
Key Findings
Personal security is a core element for the well-being of individuals. Do you feel safe out walking, alone at night, for example? In Chile, 41% of people say that they feel safe walking alone at night, much less than the OECD average of 74%.
The homicide rate (the number of murders per 100 000 inhabitants) is a more reliable measure of a country's safety level because, unlike other crimes, murders are usually always reported to the police. According to the latest OECD data, Chile's homicide rate is 2.4, lower than the OECD average of 2.6.
More Resources
Indicators
cze Safety – Czechia expand
Key Findings
Personal security is a core element for the well-being of individuals. Do you feel safe out walking, alone at night, for example? In the Czechia, 77% of people say that they feel safe walking alone at night, more than the OECD average of 74%.
The homicide rate (the number of murders per 100 000 inhabitants) is a more reliable measure of a country's safety level because, unlike other crimes, murders are usually always reported to the police. According to the latest OECD data, the Czechia's homicide rate is 0.7, lower than the OECD average of 2.6.
More Resources
Indicators
dnk Safety – Denmark expand
Key Findings
Personal security is a core element for the well-being of individuals. Do you feel safe out walking, alone at night, for example? In Denmark, 85% of people say that they feel safe walking alone at night, much more than the OECD average of 74%.
The homicide rate (the number of murders per 100 000 inhabitants) is a more reliable measure of a country's safety level because, unlike other crimes, murders are usually always reported to the police. According to the latest OECD data, Denmark's homicide rate is 0.5, lower than the OECD average of 2.6.
More Resources
Indicators
est Safety – Estonia expand
Key Findings
Personal security is a core element for the well-being of individuals. Do you feel safe out walking, alone at night, for example? In Estonia, 79% of people say that they feel safe walking alone at night, above the OECD average of 74%.
The homicide rate (the number of murders per 100 000 inhabitants) is a more reliable measure of a country's safety level because, unlike other crimes, murders are usually always reported to the police. According to the latest OECD data, Estonia's homicide rate is 1.9, lower than the OECD average of 2.6.
More Resources
Indicators
fin Safety – Finland expand
Key Findings
Personal security is a core element for the well-being of individuals. Do you feel safe out walking, alone at night, for example? In Finland, about 88% of people say that they feel safe walking alone at night, more than the OECD average of 74%.
The homicide rate (the number of murders per 100 000 inhabitants) is a more reliable measure of a country's safety level because, unlike other crimes, murders are usually always reported to the police. According to the latest OECD data, Finland's homicide rate is 1.2, lower than the OECD average of 2.6.
More Resources
Indicators
fra Safety – France expand
Key Findings
Personal security is a core element for the well-being of individuals. Do you feel safe out walking, alone at night, for example? In France, about 74% of people say that they feel safe walking alone at night, in line with the OECD average.
The homicide rate (the number of murders per 100 000 inhabitants) is a more reliable measure of a country's safety level because, unlike other crimes, murders are usually always reported to the police. According to the latest OECD data, France's homicide rate is 0.4, lower than the OECD average of 2.6.
More Resources
Indicators
deu Safety – Germany expand
Key Findings
Personal security is a core element for the well-being of individuals. Do you feel safe out walking, alone at night, for example? In Germany, about 76% of people say that they feel safe walking alone at night, more than the OECD average of 74%.
The homicide rate (the number of murders per 100 000 inhabitants) is a more reliable measure of a country's safety level because, unlike other crimes, murders are usually always reported to the police. According to the latest OECD data, Germany's homicide rate is 0.4, lower than the OECD average of 2.6.
More Resources
Indicators
grc Safety – Greece expand
Key Findings
Personal security is a core element for the well-being of individuals. Do you feel safe out walking, alone at night, for example? In Greece, about 69% of people say that they feel safe walking alone at night, less than the OECD average of 74%.
The homicide rate (the number of murders per 100 000 inhabitants) is a more reliable measure of a country's safety level because, unlike other crimes, murders are usually always reported to the police. According to the latest OECD data, Greece's homicide rate is 1, lower than the OECD average of 2.6.
More Resources
Indicators
hun Safety – Hungary expand
Key Findings
Personal security is a core element for the well-being of individuals. Do you feel safe out walking, alone at night, for example? In Hungary, 74% of people say that they feel safe walking alone at night, in line with the OECD average.
The homicide rate (the number of murders per 100 000 inhabitants) is a more reliable measure of a country's safety level because, unlike other crimes, murders are usually always reported to the police. According to the latest OECD data, Hungary's homicide rate is 0.9, lower than the OECD average of 2.6.
More Resources
Indicators
isl Safety – Iceland expand
Key Findings
Personal security is a core element for the well-being of individuals. Do you feel safe out walking, alone at night, for example? In Iceland 85% of people say that they feel safe walking alone at night, more than the OECD average of 74%.
The homicide rate (the number of murders per 100 000 inhabitants) is a more reliable measure of a country's safety level because, unlike other crimes, murders are usually always reported to the police. According to the latest OECD data, Iceland's homicide rate is 0.3, one of the lowest rates in the OECD, where the average is of 2.6.
More Resources
Indicators
irl Safety – Ireland expand
Key Findings
Personal security is a core element for the well-being of individuals. Do you feel safe out walking, alone at night, for example? In Ireland, 76% of people say that they feel safe walking alone at night, more than the OECD average of 74%.
The homicide rate (the number of murders per 100 000 inhabitants) is a more reliable measure of a country's safety level because, unlike other crimes, murders are usually always reported to the police. According to the latest OECD data, Ireland's homicide rate is 0.5, lower than the OECD average of 2.6.
More Resources
Indicators
isr Safety – Israel expand
Key Findings
Personal security is a core element for the well-being of individuals. Do you feel safe out walking, alone at night, for example? In Israel, 80% of people say that they feel safe walking alone at night, more than the OECD average of 74%.
The homicide rate (the number of murders per 100 000 inhabitants) is a more reliable measure of a country's safety level because, unlike other crimes, murders are usually always reported to the police. According to the latest OECD data, Israel's homicide rate is 1.5, lower than the OECD average of 2.6.
More Resources
Indicators
ita Safety – Italy expand
Key Findings
Personal security is a core element for the well-being of individuals. Do you feel safe out walking, alone at night, for example? In Italy, 73% of people say that they feel safe walking alone at night, slightly less than the OECD average of 74%.
The homicide rate (the number of murders per 100 000 inhabitants) is a more reliable measure of a country's safety level because, unlike other crimes, murders are usually always reported to the police. According to the latest OECD data, Italy's homicide rate is 0.5, lower than the OECD average of 2.6.
More Resources
Indicators
jpn Safety – Japan expand
Key Findings
Personal security is a core element for the well-being of individuals. Do you feel safe out walking, alone at night, for example? In Japan, 77% of people say that they feel safe walking alone at night, more than the OECD average of 74%.
The homicide rate (the number of murders per 100 000 inhabitants) is a more reliable measure of a country's safety level because, unlike other crimes, murders are usually always reported to the police. According to the latest OECD data, Japan's homicide rate is 0.2, one of the lowest rates in the OECD, where the average is 2.6.
More Resources
Indicators
kor Safety – Korea expand
Key Findings
Personal security is a core element for the well-being of individuals. Do you feel safe out walking, alone at night, for example? In Korea, about 82% of people say that they feel safe walking alone at night, more than the OECD average of 74%.
The homicide rate (the number of murders per 100 000 inhabitants) is a more reliable measure of a country's safety level because, unlike other crimes, murders are usually always reported to the police. According to the latest OECD data, Korea's homicide rate is 0.8, lower than the OECD average of 2.6.
More Resources
Indicators
lux Safety – Luxembourg expand
Key Findings
Personal security is a core element for the well-being of individuals. Do you feel safe out walking, alone at night, for example? In Luxembourg, about 87% of people say that they feel safe walking alone at night, more than the OECD average of 74%.
The homicide rate (the number of murders per 100 000 inhabitants) is a more reliable measure of a country's safety level because, unlike other crimes, murders are usually always reported to the police. According to the latest OECD data, Luxembourg's homicide rate is 0.2, one of the lowest rates in the OECD, where the average is 2.6.
More Resources
Indicators
mex Safety – Mexico expand
Key Findings
Personal security is a core element for the well-being of individuals. Do you feel safe out walking, alone at night, for example? In Mexico, almost 42% of people say that they feel safe walking alone at night, much less the OECD average of 74%, and the lowest rate among OECD countries.
The homicide rate (the number of murders per 100 000 inhabitants) is a more reliable measure of a country's safety level because, unlike other crimes, murders are usually always reported to the police. According to the latest OECD data, Mexico's homicide rate is 26.8, more than ten times the OECD average of 2.6, and the highest in the OECD.
More Resources
Indicators
nld Safety – Netherlands expand
Key Findings
Personal security is a core element for the well-being of individuals. Do you feel safe out walking, alone at night, for example? In the Netherlands, about 83% of people say that they feel safe walking alone at night, more than the OECD average of 74%.
The homicide rate (the number of murders per 100 000 inhabitants) is a more reliable measure of a country's safety level because, unlike other crimes, murders are usually always reported to the police. According to the latest OECD data, the Netherland's homicide rate is 0.6, lower than the OECD average of 2.6.
Better Policies for Better Lives
Protecting children
In 2011, the Child and Youth Protection Services in the Amsterdam area, or CYPSA, was redesigned to better assess the risks 10 000 at-risk children face and provide them with timely help. The aim was simple: keep “Every child safe”.
A group of specialists worked together over a period of three months to identify challenges, plan and implement solutions. Following evaluation, new principles of action and engagement were established taking a systems approach to protecting children. Under this new approach, silos were removed so that case workers could deal with the whole family system and communicate directly with families. Teams are organised around each potential case and focus early intervention and care for the entire family.
The redesign of the organisation proved to be extremely successful and exceeded expectations. Both the quality of public service increased and the associated costs reduced. More importantly, the number of cases where children had to be forcibly removed from their families decreased by 50%. Considering these positive and continuous results, the CYPSA was elected the Best Public Sector Organisation in the Netherlands in 2015.
More Resources
Indicators
nzl Safety – New Zealand expand
Key Findings
Personal security is a core element for the well-being of individuals. Do you feel safe out walking, alone at night, for example? In New Zealand, 66% of people say that they feel safe walking alone at night, less than the OECD average of 74%.
The homicide rate (the number of murders per 100 000 inhabitants) is a more reliable measure of a country's safety level because, unlike other crimes, murders are usually always reported to the police. According to the latest OECD data, New Zealand's homicide rate is 1.3, lower than the OECD average of 2.6.
More Resources
Indicators
nor Safety – Norway expand
Key Findings
Personal security is a core element for the well-being of individuals. Do you feel safe out walking, alone at night, for example? In Norway, about 93% of people say that they feel safe walking alone at night, much more than the OECD average of 74%, and the highest in the OECD.
The homicide rate (the number of murders per 100 000 inhabitants) is a more reliable measure of a country's safety level because, unlike other crimes, murders are usually always reported to the police. According to the latest OECD data, Norway's homicide rate is 0.6, less than the OECD average of 2.6.
More Resources
Indicators
pol Safety – Poland expand
Key Findings
Personal security is a core element for the well-being of individuals. Do you feel safe out walking, alone at night, for example? In Poland, 71% of people say that they feel safe walking alone at night, less than the OECD average of 74%.
The homicide rate (the number of murders per 100 000 inhabitants) is a more reliable measure of a country's safety level because, unlike other crimes, murders are usually always reported to the police. According to the latest OECD data, Poland's homicide rate is 0.5, lower than the OECD average of 2.6.
More Resources
Indicators
prt Safety – Portugal expand
Key Findings
Personal security is a core element for the well-being of individuals. Do you feel safe out walking, alone at night, for example? In Portugal, 83% of people say that they feel safe walking alone at night, more than the OECD average of 74%.
The homicide rate (the number of murders per 100 000 inhabitants) is a more reliable measure of a country's safety level because, unlike other crimes, murders are usually always reported to the police. According to the latest OECD data, Portugal's homicide rate is 0.7, lower than the OECD average of 2.6.
More Resources
Indicators
rus Safety – Russian Federation expand
Key Findings
Personal security is a core element for the well-being of individuals. Do you feel safe out walking, alone at night, for example? In the Russian Federation, 64% of people say that they feel safe walking alone at night, less than the OECD average of 74%.
The homicide rate (the number of murders per 100 000 inhabitants) is a more reliable measure of a country's safety level because, unlike other crimes, murders are usually always reported to the police. According to the latest OECD data, the Russian Federation's homicide rate is 4.8, only a sixth of what it was in the early 2000s, but still higher than the OECD average of 2.6.
More Resources
Indicators
svk Safety – Slovak Republic expand
Key Findings
Personal security is a core element for the well-being of individuals. Do you feel safe out walking, alone at night, for example? In the Slovak Republic, 76% of people say that they feel safe walking alone at night, more than the OECD average of 74%.
a country's safety level because, unlike other crimes, murders are usually always reported to the police. According to the latest OECD data, the Slovak Republic's homicide rate is 0.8, lower than the OECD average of 2.6.
More Resources
Indicators
svn Safety – Slovenia expand
Key Findings
Personal security is a core element for the well-being of individuals. Do you feel safe out walking, alone at night, for example? In Slovenia, 91% of people say that they feel safe walking alone at night, much more than the OECD average of 74%, and one of the highest rates among OECD countries.
The homicide rate (the number of murders per 100 000 inhabitants) is a more reliable measure of a country's safety level because, unlike other crimes, murders are usually always reported to the police. According to the latest OECD data, Slovenia's homicide rate is 0.4, much lower than the OECD average of 2.6.
More Resources
Indicators
esp Safety – Spain expand
Key Findings
Personal security is a core element for the well-being of individuals. Do you feel safe out walking, alone at night, for example? In Spain, about 80% of people say that they feel safe walking alone at night, more than the OECD average of 74%.
The homicide rate (the number of murders per 100 000 inhabitants) is a more reliable measure of a country's safety level because, unlike other crimes, murders are usually always reported to the police. According to the latest OECD data, Spain's homicide rate is 0.7, lower than the OECD average of 2.6.
Better Policies for Better Lives
Social media for safety
The Spanish National Police turned to social media to conduct awareness campaigns, advertise success stories, and request citizen co-operation to solve cases. Content-rich messages with plain, professional language were often even humorous or provocative to get people's attention. They also kept interest constant by answering every question they received from their followers – reaching more than 3.5 million on Twitter – more than the FBI. The Spanish National Police also reach the public through their YouTube account and have more than 37 million views. Citizens often help to solve cases, ranging from drug trafficking to threats to public figures. This innovative use of social media has helped the national police increase preventative and operational safety.
More Resources
Indicators
swe Safety – Sweden expand
Key Findings
Personal security is a core element for the well-being of individuals. Do you feel safe out walking, alone at night, for example? In Sweden, about 79% of people say that they feel safe walking alone at night, more than the OECD average of 74%.
The homicide rate (the number of murders per 100 000 inhabitants) is a more reliable measure of a country's safety level because, unlike other crimes, murders are usually always reported to the police. According to the latest OECD data, Sweden's homicide rate is 1.1, lower than the OECD average of 2.6
More Resources
Indicators
che Safety – Switzerland expand
Key Findings
Personal security is a core element for the well-being of individuals. Do you feel safe out walking, alone at night, for example? In Switzerland, 86% of people say that they feel safe walking alone at night, more than the OECD average of 74%.
The homicide rate (the number of murders per 100 000 inhabitants) is a more reliable measure of a country's safety level because, unlike other crimes, murders are usually always reported to the police. According to the latest OECD data, Switzerland's homicide rate is 0.3, much lower than the OECD average of 2.6, and one of the lowest in the OECD.
More Resources
Indicators
tur Safety – Türkiye expand
Key Findings
Personal security is a core element for the well-being of individuals. Do you feel safe out walking, alone at night, for example? In Türkiye, 59% of people say that they feel safe walking alone at night, less than the OECD average of 74%.
The homicide rate (the number of murders per 100 000 inhabitants) is a more reliable measure of a country's safety level because, unlike other crimes, murders are usually always reported to the police. According to the latest OECD data, Türkiye's homicide rate is 1, lower than the OECD average of 2.6.
More Resources
Indicators
gbr Safety – United Kingdom expand
Key Findings
Personal security is a core element for the well-being of individuals. Do you feel safe out walking, alone at night, for example? In the United Kingdom, 78% of people say that they feel safe walking alone at night, more than the OECD average of 74%.
The homicide rate (the number of murders per 100 000 inhabitants) is a more reliable measure of a country's safety level because, unlike other crimes, murders are usually always reported to the police. According to the latest OECD data, the United Kingdom's homicide rate is 0.2, one of the lowest rates in the OECD, where the average is 2.6.
More Resources
Indicators
usa Safety – United States expand
Key Findings
Personal security is a core element for the well-being of individuals. Do you feel safe out walking, alone at night, for example? In the United States, 78% of people say that they feel safe walking alone at night, more than the OECD average of 74%.
The homicide rate (the number of murders per 100 000 inhabitants) is a more reliable measure of a country's safety level because, unlike other crimes, murders are usually always reported to the police. According to the latest OECD data, the United States' homicide rate is 6, higher than the OECD average of 2.6.