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Crime Stats: compare key data on Germany & South Africa

Definitions

  • Age of criminal responsibility: The age at which a person is no longer excluded from criminal liability.  The lowest age is indicated for countries where there isn’t a single age limit, for example where different states have different regulations (such as the USA) or there is different limits for boy and girls (such as in Iran). The spectrum is specifically wide for the USA and Mexico (both 6-12 years). Several US states do not stipulate any minimal age for criminal responsibility at all. For further qualifications, exceptions and other notes, please refer to notes.
  • Assault rate: Number of assaults recorded by police per 100,000 population
  • Crime levels: Level of crime. Based on 0-50 contributions for Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria and 82 more countries and 50-100 contributions for Argentina, Belgium, Bulgaria and 24 more countries and over 100 contributions for Australia, Brazil, Canada and 17 more countries. The surveys were conducted by numbeo.com from July, 2011 to February, 2014. See this sample survey for the United States, respondents were asked "How serious you feel the level of crime is?". The higher the value, the more survey respondents believe it is high in their country.
  • Drugs > Annual cannabis use: Estimate of percentage of 15-64 year old population who use Cannabis.
  • Drugs > Opiates use: Annual prevalence.
  • Murder rate: Homicide rate per year per 100,000 inhabitants in various countries.
  • Police officers: Number of police officers per 100,000 population.
  • Rape rate: Number of rape incidents per 100,000 citizens in different countries. Figures do not take into account rape incidents that go unreported to the police.
  • Total crimes: Note: Crime statistics are often better indicators of prevalence of law enforcement and willingness to report crime, than actual prevalence.
  • Violent crime > Gun crime > Guns per 100 residents: Number of privately owned small firearms per 100 residents.
  • Violent crime > Intentional homicide rate: Homicides per 100’000 residents. Homicide is the death of a person purposefully inflicted by another person (it excludes suicides) outside of a state of war. Homicide is a broader category than murder, as it also includes manslaughter. The exact legal definition varies across countries, some of which include infanticide, assisted suicide, euthanasia and deaths caused by dangerous driving.
  • Violent crime > Murder rate: Intentional homicide, number and rate per 100,000 population.
  • Violent crime > Murder rate per million people: Intentional homicide, number and rate per 100,000 population. Figures expressed per million people for the same year.
  • Violent crime > Rapes: The number of recorded rapes. Large numbers of rapes go unreported. South Africa is estimated to have 500,000 rapes per year, Egypt 200,000, China 32,000 and the UK with 85,000 rapes per year.
  • Violent crime > Rapes per million people: The number of recorded rapes. Large numbers of rapes go unreported. South Africa is estimated to have 500,000 rapes per year, Egypt 200,000, China 32,000 and the UK with 85,000 rapes per year. Figures expressed per million people for the same year.
  • Total crimes per 1000: Note: Crime statistics are often better indicators of prevalence of law enforcement and willingness to report crime, than actual prevalence. Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Murders with firearms per million: Total recorded intentional homicides committed with a firearm. Crime statistics are often better indicators of prevalence of law enforcement and willingness to report crime, than actual prevalence. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
  • Justice system > Punishment > Capital punishment (last execution year): Year of last use.
  • Violent crime > Murders per million people: Intentional homicide, number and rate per 100,000 population. Figures expressed per million people for the same year.
  • Violent crime > Murders: Intentional homicide, number and rate per 100,000 population.
  • Burglaries: Number of burglaries recorded by police in that country per 100,000 population.
  • Robberies: Number of robberies recorded by police in that country per 100,000 population.
  • Believes crime increasing in the past 3 years: Crime increasing in the past 3 years. Based on 0-50 contributions for Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria and 82 more countries and 50-100 contributions for Argentina, Belgium, Bulgaria and 24 more countries and over 100 contributions for Australia, Brazil, Canada and 17 more countries. The surveys were conducted by numbeo.com from July, 2011 to February, 2014. See this sample survey for the United States, respondents were asked "In the past three years would you say the level of crime in your community has increased, stayed about the same, or decreased?". The higher the value, the more survey respondents believe it is high in their country.
  • Fear of crime > Violent hate crime: Worries being subject to a physical attack because of your skin colour, ethnic origin or religion. Based on 0-50 contributions for Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria and 82 more countries and 50-100 contributions for Argentina, Belgium, Bulgaria and 24 more countries and over 100 contributions for Australia, Brazil, Canada and 17 more countries. The surveys were conducted by numbeo.com from July, 2011 to February, 2014. See this sample survey for the United States, respondents were asked "(How worried are you about)......being subject to a physical attack because of your skin colour, ethnic origin or religion?". The higher the value, the more survey respondents believe it is high in their country.
  • Fear of crime > Feels safe walking alone > At night: Safety walking alone during night. Based on 0-50 contributions for Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria and 82 more countries and 50-100 contributions for Argentina, Belgium, Bulgaria and 24 more countries and over 100 contributions for Australia, Brazil, Canada and 17 more countries. The surveys were conducted by numbeo.com from July, 2011 to February, 2014. See this sample survey for the United States, respondents were asked "How safe do you feel walking alone in this city during the night?". The higher the value, the more survey respondents believe it is high in their country.
  • Kidnappings: Number of kidnappings recorded by police in that country per 100,000 population.
  • Murders > Per 100,000 people: Intentional homicide rate is the estimate of intentional homicides in a country as a result of domestic disputes that end in a killing, interpersonal violence, violent conflicts over land resources, inter-gang violence over turf or control, and predatory violence and killing by armed groups. The term, intentional homicide, is broad, but it does not include all intentional killing. In particular, deaths arising from armed conflict are usually considered separately. The difference is usually described by the organisation of the killing. Individuals or small groups usually commit homicide, whereas the killing in armed conflict is usually committed by more or less cohesive groups of up to several hundred members. Two main sources of data are presented: criminal justice (law enforcement) measures (this series), supplemented by data from national statistical agencies, and measures from public health sources (see other intentional homicide series). These various sources measure slightly different phenomena and are therefore unlikely to provide identical numbers."
  • Murders with firearms: Total recorded intentional homicides committed with a firearm. Crime statistics are often better indicators of prevalence of law enforcement and willingness to report crime, than actual prevalence.
  • Age of criminal responsibility (notes): Additional information, qualifications, exceptions and notes on the age of criminal responsibility stat, which indicates the age at which a person is no longer excluded from criminal liability.
  • Prisoners: Total persons incarcerated
  • Assaults: Number of assaults recorded by police in that country per 100,000 population.
  • Punishment > Maximum length of sentence: Maximum length of sentence (under life).

    No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.

  • Auto theft: Number of motor vehicle thefts (car thefts) recorded by police in that country per 100,000 population.
  • Perceived problems > Problem violent crimes including assault and armed robbery: Problem violent crimes such as assault and armed robbery. Based on 0-50 contributions for Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria and 82 more countries and 50-100 contributions for Argentina, Belgium, Bulgaria and 24 more countries and over 100 contributions for Australia, Brazil, Canada and 17 more countries. The surveys were conducted by numbeo.com from July, 2011 to February, 2014. See this sample survey for the United States, respondents were asked "(How much of a problem are...) violent crimes such as assault and armed robbery?". The higher the value, the more survey respondents believe it is high in their country.
  • Murders > WHO: Intentional homicide rate is the estimate of intentional homicides in a country as a result of domestic disputes that end in a killing, interpersonal violence, violent conflicts over land resources, inter-gang violence over turf or control, and predatory violence and killing by armed groups. The term, intentional homicide, is broad, but it does not include all intentional killing. In particular, deaths arising from armed conflict are usually considered separately. The difference is usually described by the organisation of the killing. Individuals or small groups usually commit homicide, whereas the killing in armed conflict is usually committed by more or less cohesive groups of up to several hundred members. Two main sources of data are presented: criminal justice (law enforcement) measures (this series), supplemented by data from national statistical agencies, and measures from public health sources (see other intentional homicide series). These various sources measure slightly different phenomena and are therefore unlikely to provide identical numbers."
  • Fear of crime > Feels safe walking alone > During the day: Safety walking alone during daylight. Based on 0-50 contributions for Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria and 82 more countries and 50-100 contributions for Argentina, Belgium, Bulgaria and 24 more countries and over 100 contributions for Australia, Brazil, Canada and 17 more countries. The surveys were conducted by numbeo.com from July, 2011 to February, 2014. See this sample survey for the United States, respondents were asked "How safe do you feel walking alone in this city during the daylight?". The higher the value, the more survey respondents believe it is high in their country.
  • Serious assault rate: Number of major assaults recorded by police per 100,000 population
  • Drugs > Lifetime cannabis use: Adult lifetime cannabis use.
  • Prisoners > Per capita: Data for 2003. Number of prisoners held per 100,000 population.
  • Punishment > Crimes possibly attracting life sentence: Possible other sentence.

    No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.

  • Fear of crime > Worries about being attacked: Worries attacked. Based on 0-50 contributions for Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria and 82 more countries and 50-100 contributions for Argentina, Belgium, Bulgaria and 24 more countries and over 100 contributions for Australia, Brazil, Canada and 17 more countries. The surveys were conducted by numbeo.com from July, 2011 to February, 2014. See this sample survey for the United States, respondents were asked "(How worried are you about)......being physically attacked by strangers?". The higher the value, the more survey respondents believe it is high in their country.
  • Software piracy rate: The piracy rate is the total number of units of pirated software deployed in 2007 divided by the total units of software installed.
  • Perceived problems > Property crimes including vandalism and theft: Problem property crimes such as vandalism and theft. Based on 0-50 contributions for Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria and 82 more countries and 50-100 contributions for Argentina, Belgium, Bulgaria and 24 more countries and over 100 contributions for Australia, Brazil, Canada and 17 more countries. The surveys were conducted by numbeo.com from July, 2011 to February, 2014. See this sample survey for the United States, respondents were asked "(How much of a problem are...) property crimes such as vandalism and theft?". The higher the value, the more survey respondents believe it is high in their country.
  • Drug offences: Drug offence cases per 100,000 population (2000).
  • Perceived problems > Illegal drugs: Problem people using or dealing drugs. Based on 0-50 contributions for Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria and 82 more countries and 50-100 contributions for Argentina, Belgium, Bulgaria and 24 more countries and over 100 contributions for Australia, Brazil, Canada and 17 more countries. The surveys were conducted by numbeo.com from July, 2011 to February, 2014. See this sample survey for the United States, respondents were asked "(How much of a problem are...) people using or dealing drugs?". The higher the value, the more survey respondents believe it is high in their country.
  • Perceived problems > Problem corruption and bribery: Problem corruption and bribery. Based on 0-50 contributions for Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria and 82 more countries and 50-100 contributions for Argentina, Belgium, Bulgaria and 24 more countries and over 100 contributions for Australia, Brazil, Canada and 17 more countries. The surveys were conducted by numbeo.com from July, 2011 to February, 2014. See this sample survey for the United States, respondents were asked "(How much of a problem are...) corruption and bribery?". The higher the value, the more survey respondents believe it is high in their country.
  • Punishment > Minimum life sentence to serve before eligibility for requesting parole: Minimum to serve before eligibility for requesting parole.

    No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.

  • Fear of crime > Worries about being insulted: Worries being insulted. Based on 0-50 contributions for Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria and 82 more countries and 50-100 contributions for Argentina, Belgium, Bulgaria and 24 more countries and over 100 contributions for Australia, Brazil, Canada and 17 more countries. The surveys were conducted by numbeo.com from July, 2011 to February, 2014. See this sample survey for the United States, respondents were asked "(How worried are you about)......being insulted or pestered by anybody, while in the street or any other public place?". The higher the value, the more survey respondents believe it is high in their country.
  • Fear of crime > Worries about being mugged or robbed: Worries being mugged or robbed. Based on 0-50 contributions for Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria and 82 more countries and 50-100 contributions for Argentina, Belgium, Bulgaria and 24 more countries and over 100 contributions for Australia, Brazil, Canada and 17 more countries. The surveys were conducted by numbeo.com from July, 2011 to February, 2014. See this sample survey for the United States, respondents were asked "(How worried are you about)......being mugged and robbed?". The higher the value, the more survey respondents believe it is high in their country.
  • Illicit drugs: Crime statistics are often better indicators of prevalence of law enforcement and willingness to report crime, than actual prevalence.
  • Frauds: Total recorded frauds. Crime statistics are often better indicators of prevalence of law enforcement and willingness to report crime, than actual prevalence.
  • Gun ownership > Guns per 100 residents > 2007: Number of guns owned per 100 residents in various countries. Following data relates to the year 2007.
  • Serious assaults: Number of major assaults recorded by police in that country per 100,000 population.
  • Prisoners per 1000: Total persons incarcerated. Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Punishment > Crimes requiring mandatory sentence: Mandatory sentence.

    No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.

  • Drug related crime: Number of drug related crimes recorded by police in that country per 100,000 population.
  • Judges: Number of professional judges per 100,000 population.
  • Fear of crime > Worries about home break and enter: Worries home broken and things stolen. Based on 0-50 contributions for Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria and 82 more countries and 50-100 contributions for Argentina, Belgium, Bulgaria and 24 more countries and over 100 contributions for Australia, Brazil, Canada and 17 more countries. The surveys were conducted by numbeo.com from July, 2011 to February, 2014. See this sample survey for the United States, respondents were asked "How worried are you about....having your home broken into and something stolen?". The higher the value, the more survey respondents believe it is high in their country.
  • Death penalty > Abolition date: Amnesty International
  • Prisoners > Female: Female prisoners, expressed as a percentage share of the total prison population. Data for 2003.
  • Judges and Magistrates: Number of Judges and Magistrates
  • Punishment > Life sentence under the age of 18 or 21: Under age of 18 (or 21).

    No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.

  • Punishment > Has life imprisonment: Life imprisonment.

    No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.

  • Car thefts: Total recorded automobile thefts. Crime statistics are often better indicators of prevalence of law enforcement and willingness to report crime, than actual prevalence.
  • Car thefts per 1000: Total recorded automobile thefts. Crime statistics are often better indicators of prevalence of law enforcement and willingness to report crime, than actual prevalence. Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Fear of crime > Worries about things from car being stolen: Worries things from car stolen. Based on 0-50 contributions for Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria and 82 more countries and 50-100 contributions for Argentina, Belgium, Bulgaria and 24 more countries and over 100 contributions for Australia, Brazil, Canada and 17 more countries. The surveys were conducted by numbeo.com from July, 2011 to February, 2014. See this sample survey for the United States, respondents were asked "(How worried are you about)......having things stolen from your car?". The higher the value, the more survey respondents believe it is high in their country.
  • Punishment > Has indefinite sentence: Indefinite sentence (excl. preventive or psychiatric detainment).

    No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.

  • Prosecutors: Number of prosecutors per 100,000 population.
  • Judges and Magistrates per million: Number of Judges and Magistrates. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
  • Fear of crime > Worries about car being stolen: Worries car stolen. Based on 0-50 contributions for Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria and 82 more countries and 50-100 contributions for Argentina, Belgium, Bulgaria and 24 more countries and over 100 contributions for Australia, Brazil, Canada and 17 more countries. The surveys were conducted by numbeo.com from July, 2011 to February, 2014. See this sample survey for the United States, respondents were asked "(How worried are you about)......having your car stolen?". The higher the value, the more survey respondents believe it is high in their country.
  • Prison staff: Number of correction staff in adult prisons per 100,000 population.
  • Jails: Total number of adult prisons, penal or correctional institutions (excluding temporary jail lock-ups). Crime statistics are often better indicators of prevalence of law enforcement and willingness to report crime, than actual prevalence.
  • Manslaughters: Total recorded non-intentional homicides. Crime statistics are often better indicators of prevalence of law enforcement and willingness to report crime, than actual prevalence.
  • Prisoners > Foreign prisoners: Prisoners who are foreign nationals, expressed as a percentage share of total prison population. Data for 2003.
  • Prisoners > Share of prison capacity filled: The percentage of the offical prison capacity filled. This is obtained by comparing the number of prisoners in a nation to the offical capacity of the nation's prison system. Data for 2003.
  • Frauds per 1000: Total recorded frauds. Crime statistics are often better indicators of prevalence of law enforcement and willingness to report crime, than actual prevalence. Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Jails per million: Total number of adult prisons, penal or correctional institutions (excluding temporary jail lock-ups). Crime statistics are often better indicators of prevalence of law enforcement and willingness to report crime, than actual prevalence. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
  • Prisoners > Pre-trial detainees: The percentage of the prison population that is being held pre-trial / on remand. Data for 2003.
  • Unpaid diplomatic parking fines: Average Unpaid Annual New York City Parking Violations per Diplomat, 11/1997 to 11/2002.
  • Manslaughters per million: Total recorded non-intentional homicides. Crime statistics are often better indicators of prevalence of law enforcement and willingness to report crime, than actual prevalence. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
  • Unpaid diplomatic parking fines per million: Average Unpaid Annual New York City Parking Violations per Diplomat, 11/1997 to 11/2002. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
  • Courts > % of managers surveyed ranking this as a major business constraint: Courts measure the share of senior managers who ranked courts and dispute resolution systems as a major or very severe constraint.
  • Courts > % of managers surveyed lacking confidence in courts to uphold property rights: Lack confidence that courts uphold property rights is the share of senior managers who do not agree with the statement: “I am confident that the judicial system will enforce my contractual and property rights in business disputes.”
  • Property crime > Losses due to theft, robbery, vandalism, and arson > % sales: Losses due to theft, robbery, vandalism, and arson (% sales). Losses due to theft, robbery, vandalism, and arson are the estimated losses from those causes that occurred on establishments' premises as a percentage of annual sales.
  • Corruption > % of managers surveyed ranking this as a major business constraint: Corruption measures the share of senior managers who ranked corruption as a major or very severe constraint.
  • % of managers surveyed ranking this as a major business constraint: Crime measures the share of senior managers who ranked crime, theft, and disorder as a major or very severe constraint.
STAT Germany South Africa HISTORY
Age of criminal responsibility 14
Ranked 20th. 40% more than South Africa
10
Ranked 41st.
Assault rate 619.9
Ranked 12th.
1,188
Ranked 4th. 92% more than Germany
Crime levels 23.57
Ranked 77th.
86.27
Ranked 6th. 4 times more than Germany
Drugs > Annual cannabis use 4.8%
Ranked 4th. 12% more than South Africa
4.3%
Ranked 13th.
Drugs > Opiates use 0.3%
Ranked 6th. The same as South Africa
0.3%
Ranked 9th.
Murder rate 0.86 34
Police officers 303.8
Ranked 15th.
343.5
Ranked 18th. 13% more than Germany
Rape rate 9.4
Ranked 24th.
132.4
Ranked 1st. 14 times more than Germany

Total crimes 6.51 million
Ranked 3rd. 2 times more than South Africa
2.68 million
Ranked 7th.
Violent crime > Gun crime > Guns per 100 residents 30.3
Ranked 15th. 2 times more than South Africa
12.7
Ranked 48th.
Violent crime > Intentional homicide rate 0.81
Ranked 43th.
31
Ranked 4th. 38 times more than Germany

Violent crime > Murder rate 690
Ranked 29th.
15,940
Ranked 3rd. 23 times more than Germany

Violent crime > Murder rate per million people 8.44
Ranked 79th.
318.86
Ranked 11th. 38 times more than Germany

Violent crime > Rapes 7,724
Ranked 5th.
66,196
Ranked 2nd. 9 times more than Germany

Violent crime > Rapes per million people 94.45
Ranked 24th.
1,324.15
Ranked 1st. 14 times more than Germany

Total crimes per 1000 78.89
Ranked 11th. 34% more than South Africa
58.94
Ranked 15th.
Murders with firearms per million 3.26
Ranked 33th.
700.98
Ranked 1st. 215 times more than Germany
Justice system > Punishment > Capital punishment (last execution year) 1,945
Ranked 7th.
1,989
Ranked 28th. 2% more than Germany

Violent crime > Murders per million people 8.44
Ranked 79th.
318.86
Ranked 11th. 38 times more than Germany

Violent crime > Murders 690
Ranked 29th.
15,940
Ranked 3rd. 23 times more than Germany

Burglaries 631.6
Ranked 12th.
852.8
Ranked 1st. 35% more than Germany
Robberies 65.2
Ranked 30th.
494.5
Ranked 1st. 8 times more than Germany
Believes crime increasing in the past 3 years 52.2
Ranked 77th.
78.12
Ranked 14th. 50% more than Germany
Fear of crime > Violent hate crime 25.93
Ranked 53th.
66.85
Ranked 5th. 3 times more than Germany
Fear of crime > Feels safe walking alone > At night 75.16
Ranked 9th. 7 times more than South Africa
10.71
Ranked 87th.
Kidnappings 0.17
Ranked 8th.
6.65
Ranked 2nd. 39 times more than Germany
Murders > Per 100,000 people 1
Ranked 119th.
69
Ranked 1st. 69 times more than Germany
Murders with firearms 269
Ranked 11th.
31,918
Ranked 1st. 119 times more than Germany
Age of criminal responsibility (notes) Minors between 14 and 18 years are sentenced by juvenile justice. An adult between 18 and 21 years may still be sentenced by juvenile justice if mental matureness is not existing. The Child Justice Act 75 of 2008 came into effect 1 April 2010. There is a rebuttable presumption that a child between the ages of 10 and 14 lacks criminal capacity.
Prisoners 74,904 prisoners
Ranked 16th.
181,944 prisoners
Ranked 8th. 2 times more than Germany
Assaults 619.9
Ranked 7th.
1,188
Ranked 1st. 92% more than Germany
Punishment > Maximum length of sentence None None
Auto theft 51.4
Ranked 35th.
201.6
Ranked 1st. 4 times more than Germany
Perceived problems > Problem violent crimes including assault and armed robbery 20.81
Ranked 82nd.
86.94
Ranked 5th. 4 times more than Germany
Murders > WHO 0.7
Ranked 174th.
39.5
Ranked 5th. 56 times more than Germany
Fear of crime > Feels safe walking alone > During the day 92.19
Ranked 9th. 2 times more than South Africa
39.49
Ranked 87th.

Serious assault rate 183.1
Ranked 5th.
576.5
Ranked 1st. 3 times more than Germany
United States extradition treaties > Entered into force August 29, 1980<br>March 11, 1993 June 25, 2001
Drugs > Lifetime cannabis use 24.5%
Ranked 1st. 3 times more than South Africa
8.4%
Ranked 6th.
Prisoners > Per capita 96 per 100,000 people
Ranked 93th.
402 per 100,000 people
Ranked 10th. 4 times more than Germany
Punishment > Crimes possibly attracting life sentence See details ??
Fear of crime > Worries about being attacked 28.44
Ranked 70th.
75.68
Ranked 7th. 3 times more than Germany
Software piracy rate 27%
Ranked 95th.
34%
Ranked 88th. 26% more than Germany
Perceived problems > Property crimes including vandalism and theft 35.47
Ranked 80th.
81.61
Ranked 7th. 2 times more than Germany
Drug offences 250,969 per 100,000 people
Ranked 1st. 5 times more than South Africa
53,810 per 100,000 people
Ranked 4th.
Perceived problems > Illegal drugs 36.25
Ranked 66th.
71.43
Ranked 10th. 97% more than Germany
Perceived problems > Problem corruption and bribery 23.53
Ranked 88th.
92.56
Ranked 10th. 4 times more than Germany
Punishment > Minimum life sentence to serve before eligibility for requesting parole 15 years 10, 15, or 25 years
Fear of crime > Worries about being insulted 35.16
Ranked 54th.
63.48
Ranked 9th. 81% more than Germany
Fear of crime > Worries about being mugged or robbed 22.8
Ranked 79th.
82.21
Ranked 5th. 4 times more than Germany
Illicit drugs source of precursor chemicals for South American cocaine processors; transshipment point for and consumer of Southwest Asian heroin, Latin American cocaine, and European-produced synthetic drugs; major financial center transshipment center for heroin, hashish, and cocaine, as well as a major cultivator of marijuana in its own right; cocaine and heroin consumption on the rise; world's largest market for illicit methaqualone, usually imported illegally from India through various east African countries, but increasingly producing its own synthetic drugs for domestic consumption; attractive venue for money launderers given the increasing level of organized criminal and narcotics activity in the region and the size of the South African economy
Frauds 926,903
Ranked 1st. 16 times more than South Africa
56,232
Ranked 10th.
Gun ownership > Guns per 100 residents > 2007 30.3
Ranked 14th. 2 times more than South Africa
12.7
Ranked 21st.
Serious assaults 183.1
Ranked 1st.
576.5
Ranked 1st. 3 times more than Germany
Prisoners per 1000 0.908 prisoners
Ranked 96th.
4 prisoners
Ranked 11th. 4 times more than Germany
Background With 6.5 million crimes reported, Germany had the 3rd highest number of <a href="http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/cri_tot_cri-crime-total-crimes">total crimes</a>&nbsp;in 2002, behind the US (11.8 million) and the UK (6.52 million). Strangely, it not only had the highest number of <a href="http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/cri_dru_off-crime-drug-offences">drug related crimes</a>, but figures show that the frequency of incidences is 2.5 times that of the population - with 250,000 drug crimes per 100,000 of the population. Violent crime remains relatively low, however, with the rate of <a href="http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/cri_gun_vio_hom_ove_hom_rat_per_100_pop-rate-per-100-000-pop">homicides per capita involving firearms</a>&nbsp;just 1.6 per 100,000 of the population. South Africa is one of the least lawful countries on earth, with the 5th highest number of <a href="http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/cri_tot_cri-crime-total-crimes">total crimes</a> reported in 2002. Some 32,000 of the 2.6 million crimes were <a href="http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/cri_mur_wit_fir-crime-murders-with-firearms">murders with firearms</a>, placing the country top of the global table, and 11,000 are <a href="http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/cri_man-crime-manslaughters">manslaughters</a>, the 2nd highest number. Unsurprisingly then, South Africa has an army of 101,000 in their <a href="http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/cri_pol-crime-police">police force</a>.
Punishment > Crimes requiring mandatory sentence Aggravated murder, genocide resulting in death, crimes against humanity resulting in death, war crimes against persons resulting in death Certain murder, rape and robbery
Drug related crime 310
Ranked 8th. 3 times more than South Africa
116
Ranked 2nd.
Judges 17.8%
Ranked 13th. 4 times more than South Africa
4.3%
Ranked 6th.

Fear of crime > Worries about home break and enter 26.09
Ranked 82nd.
82.06
Ranked 3rd. 3 times more than Germany
Death penalty > Abolition date 1,987
Ranked 3rd.
1,997
Ranked 4th. 1% more than Germany
Prisoners > Female 5%
Ranked 45th. 2 times more than South Africa
2.2%
Ranked 106th.
Judges and Magistrates 20,901
Ranked 4th. 11 times more than South Africa
1,982
Ranked 18th.
Punishment > Life sentence under the age of 18 or 21 10 years ??
Punishment > Has life imprisonment Yes Yes
Car thefts 70,617
Ranked 10th.
93,133
Ranked 9th. 32% more than Germany
Car thefts per 1000 0.856
Ranked 36th.
2.05
Ranked 19th. 2 times more than Germany
Fear of crime > Worries about things from car being stolen 27.87
Ranked 83th.
81.48
Ranked 4th. 3 times more than Germany
Punishment > Has indefinite sentence No No
Prosecutors 6.1%
Ranked 25th. 11% more than South Africa
5.5%
Ranked 4th.

Judges and Magistrates per million 253.38
Ranked 6th. 6 times more than South Africa
43.53
Ranked 47th.
Fear of crime > Worries about car being stolen 21.31
Ranked 80th.
77.59
Ranked 4th. 4 times more than Germany
Prison staff 43.8%
Ranked 34th.
47.7%
Ranked 8th. 9% more than Germany

Jails 209
Ranked 13th.
228
Ranked 12th. 9% more than Germany
Manslaughters 825
Ranked 12th.
11,202
Ranked 2nd. 14 times more than Germany
Prisoners > Foreign prisoners 29.9%
Ranked 19th. 14 times more than South Africa
2.1%
Ranked 55th.
Prisoners > Share of prison capacity filled 100.5%
Ranked 91st.
159.4%
Ranked 26th. 59% more than Germany
Frauds per 1000 11.24
Ranked 1st. 9 times more than South Africa
1.23
Ranked 25th.
Jails per million 2.53
Ranked 60th.
5.01
Ranked 28th. 98% more than Germany
Prisoners > Pre-trial detainees 21.2%
Ranked 102nd.
28.3%
Ranked 80th. 33% more than Germany
Unpaid diplomatic parking fines 1
Ranked 114th.
34
Ranked 26th. 34 times more than Germany
Manslaughters per million 10
Ranked 25th.
246.02
Ranked 1st. 25 times more than Germany
United States extradition treaties > Date signed June 20, 1978<br>October 21, 1986 September 16, 1999
Unpaid diplomatic parking fines per million 0.0121
Ranked 116th.
0.747
Ranked 70th. 62 times more than Germany
Judges of the International Criminal Court > Term End 2015 2009
Judges of the International Criminal Court > Elected 2003, 2006 2003
Courts > % of managers surveyed ranking this as a major business constraint 2.26%
Ranked 35th.
8.79%
Ranked 15th. 4 times more than Germany
Courts > % of managers surveyed lacking confidence in courts to uphold property rights 10.32%
Ranked 38th.
20.83%
Ranked 14th. 2 times more than Germany
Property crime > Losses due to theft, robbery, vandalism, and arson > % sales 0.5%
Ranked 7th.
1%
Ranked 5th. Twice as much as Germany

Corruption > % of managers surveyed ranking this as a major business constraint 3.85%
Ranked 35th.
16.09%
Ranked 16th. 4 times more than Germany
% of managers surveyed ranking this as a major business constraint 1.92%
Ranked 35th.
29.02%
Ranked 10th. 15 times more than Germany

SOURCES: Wikipedia: Defense of infancy (Ages of criminal responsibility by country); European Institute for Crime Prevention and Control International Statistics on Crime and Justice, 2011; crime; https://www.unodc.org/documents/data-and-analysis/WDR2011/World_Drug_Report_2011_ebook.pdf, World Drug Report 2011, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), 2011, p. 217.; Wikipedia: List of countries by prevalence of opiates use ("World Drug Report 2011" . United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. 2011. "World Drug Report 2006" . United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. 2006. http://www.unodc.org/documents/wdr/WDR_2009/WDR2009_eng_web.pdf); UN Crime Stats; The Eighth United Nations Survey on Crime Trends and the Operations of Criminal Justice Systems (2002) (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Centre for International Crime Prevention); Annexe I of the Small Arms Survey 2007 ; Wikipedia: List of countries by intentional homicide rate by decade; United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Source tables; United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Source tables. Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; Statistics : Crime : Sexual Violence (UNODC) and Crime Statistics : Sexual Violence Against Children and Rape, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime; Statistics : Crime : Sexual Violence (UNODC) and Crime Statistics : Sexual Violence Against Children and Rape, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; The Eighth United Nations Survey on Crime Trends and the Operations of Criminal Justice Systems (2002) (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Centre for International Crime Prevention). Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; The Eighth United Nations Survey on Crime Trends and the Operations of Criminal Justice Systems (2002) (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Centre for International Crime Prevention). Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; Wikipedia: Capital punishment in Europe (Abolition); European Institute for Crime Prevention and Control International Statistics on Crime and Justice, 2011; UN Office on Drugs and Crime, UN Survey of Crime Trends, at http://www.unodc.org/documents/data-and-analysis/IHS-rates-05012009.pdf.; Wikipedia: Defense of infancy (Ages of criminal responsibility by country); Wikipedia: Life imprisonment (Summary by country); World Health Organisation.; Wikipedia: List of United States extradition treaties; Mostly Table GPS-8 Part (i) ''Lifetime prevalence of drug use among all adults (aged 15 to 64 years old) in nationwide surveys among the general population'' EMCDDA (European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction) unless otherwise referred on Wikipedia: Adult lifetime cannabis use by country; International Centre for Prison Studies - World Prison Brief; Fifth Annual BSA and IDC Global Software Piracy Study; CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 28 March 2011; Geneva Graduate Institute of International Studies: Small Arms Survey 2007 Part 2; Last updated: 01/04/03; The Eighth United Nations Survey on Crime Trends and the Operations of Criminal Justice Systems (2002) (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Centre for International Crime Prevention); The Eighth United Nations Survey on Crime Trends and the Operations of Criminal Justice Systems (2002) (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Centre for International Crime Prevention). Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; The Eighth United Nations Survey on Crime Trends and the Operations of Criminal Justice Systems (2002) (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Centre for International Crime Prevention); Cultures of Corruption: Evidence from Diplomatic Parking Tickets Ray Fisman Edward Miguel Columbia University and NBER University of California, Berkeley and NBER 2006; Cultures of Corruption: Evidence from Diplomatic Parking Tickets Ray Fisman Edward Miguel Columbia University and NBER University of California, Berkeley and NBER 2006. Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; Wikipedia: Judges of the International Criminal Court; World Development Indicators database; World Bank, Enterprise Surveys

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