Murder rate in Germany 2025: Strong decline compared to the USA!

Murder rate in Germany 2025: Strong decline compared to the USA!

The discussion about crime in Germany is a topic that affects many people. A current analysis of murder rates shows how our country compares internationally. In a report by dpa fact checking It becomes clear that Germany, with 0.77 murders per 100,000 inhabitants in October 2025, is far below the figures for Russia (4.8) and the USA (6.3). This is a positive signal for the German security situation, which stands out positively in the international context.

There have been fluctuations in the murder rate in recent years. While 0.91 murders per 100,000 inhabitants were recorded in Germany in 2023, the numbers in 1995 were significantly higher at 1.5 murders. A look at the police crime statistics from the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) for 2024 shows that the murder rate is currently 0.9 murders per 100,000 inhabitants, which corresponds to 730 cases.

Long-term developments in view

However, the development of crime cannot only be characterized by the number of murders. According to a report by Statista There was a decrease of 1.7% to around 5.84 million crimes in Germany in 2024. The main reason for this positive turn is the partial legalization of cannabis, which has been in force since April 1, 2024. As a result, fewer cannabis offenses were recorded.

However, there is also an increase in other crimes that affect people's sense of security. Even though murder rates are low, crimes such as theft, fraud and brutality continue to influence daily life. According to police crime statistics, crimes against life, such as murder and manslaughter, make up a very small proportion of recorded crimes - just 0.1% - which corresponds to a total of around 285 murder victims in 2024.

Feelings of security are often deceptive

The analysis also shows that the most common crimes in Germany are still thefts and property crimes. Citizens' sense of security is strongly influenced by the type of perceived crime, which is also reflected in the dark field studies. Rapes and crimes in family contexts in particular often go unreported, which ultimately influences the actual perception of safety.

However, compared to other countries in the world, Germany remains a safe place to live. Given the dark figures in countries like Russia and the USA, the German murder rate is at a pleasingly low level. A good hand in fighting crime also shows that the clearance rate of 58% for 2024 is an indicator of the efficiency of law enforcement.

Overall, it is clear that even if the development of crime is complex and difficult to assess clearly, the authorities in Germany are successfully fighting the widespread fear of crime. The numbers speak for themselves and urgently require a differentiated look. Germany remains a safe country, and the good development in the murder rate is clear evidence of this.