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Crime Stats: compare key data on Nigeria & 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Justice system > Punishment > Capital punishment (last execution year): Year of last use.
  • Murder rate: Homicide rate per year per 100,000 inhabitants in various countries.
  • 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."
  • Violent crime > Gun crime > Guns per 100 residents: Number of privately owned small firearms per 100 residents.
  • 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 > Murders: Intentional homicide, number and rate per 100,000 population.
  • Violent crime > Murders per million people: Intentional homicide, number and rate per 100,000 population. Figures expressed per million people for the same year.
  • Prisoners: Total persons incarcerated
  • 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.

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

  • 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.
  • Prisoners > Female: Female prisoners, expressed as a percentage share of the total prison population. Data for 2003.
  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
STAT Nigeria South Africa HISTORY
Age of criminal responsibility 7
Ranked 56th.
10
Ranked 41st. 43% more than Nigeria
Believes crime increasing in the past 3 years 72.22
Ranked 27th.
78.12
Ranked 14th. 8% more than Nigeria
Crime levels 82.35
Ranked 7th.
86.27
Ranked 6th. 5% more than Nigeria
Drugs > Annual cannabis use 14.3%
Ranked 5th. 3 times more than South Africa
4.3%
Ranked 13th.
Drugs > Opiates use 0.7%
Ranked 1st. 2 times more than South Africa
0.3%
Ranked 9th.
Fear of crime > Feels safe walking alone > At night 29.17
Ranked 75th. 3 times more than South Africa
10.71
Ranked 87th.
Fear of crime > Violent hate crime 44.12
Ranked 12th.
66.85
Ranked 5th. 52% more than Nigeria
Justice system > Punishment > Capital punishment (last execution year) 2,013
Ranked 5th. 1% more than South Africa
1,989
Ranked 28th.

Murder rate 1.3 34
Murders > Per 100,000 people 17.7
Ranked 31st.
69
Ranked 1st. 4 times more than Nigeria
Violent crime > Gun crime > Guns per 100 residents 1.5
Ranked 127th.
12.7
Ranked 48th. 8 times more than Nigeria
Violent crime > Murder rate 18,422
Ranked 5th. 16% more than South Africa
15,940
Ranked 3rd.

Violent crime > Murder rate per million people 121.83
Ranked 54th.
318.86
Ranked 11th. 3 times more than Nigeria

Violent crime > Murders 18,422
Ranked 5th. 16% more than South Africa
15,940
Ranked 3rd.

Violent crime > Murders per million people 121.83
Ranked 54th.
318.86
Ranked 11th. 3 times more than Nigeria

Prisoners 40,447 prisoners
Ranked 36th.
181,944 prisoners
Ranked 8th. 4 times more than Nigeria
Punishment > Maximum length of sentence None None
Perceived problems > Problem violent crimes including assault and armed robbery 81.58
Ranked 7th.
86.94
Ranked 5th. 7% more than Nigeria
Murders > WHO 1.8
Ranked 135th.
39.5
Ranked 5th. 22 times more than Nigeria
Fear of crime > Feels safe walking alone > During the day 45.31
Ranked 86th. 15% more than South Africa
39.49
Ranked 87th.

United States extradition treaties > Entered into force June 24, 1935 June 25, 2001
Drugs > Lifetime cannabis use 2.7%
Ranked 6th.
8.4%
Ranked 6th. 3 times more than Nigeria
Prisoners > Per capita 33 per 100,000 people
Ranked 149th.
402 per 100,000 people
Ranked 10th. 12 times more than Nigeria
Punishment > Crimes possibly attracting life sentence ?? ??
Fear of crime > Worries about being attacked 79.17
Ranked 5th. 5% more than South Africa
75.68
Ranked 7th.
Software piracy rate 82%
Ranked 22nd. 2 times more than South Africa
34%
Ranked 88th.
Perceived problems > Property crimes including vandalism and theft 77.94
Ranked 8th.
81.61
Ranked 7th. 5% more than Nigeria
Perceived problems > Illegal drugs 77.94
Ranked 5th. 9% more than South Africa
71.43
Ranked 10th.
Perceived problems > Problem corruption and bribery 90.28
Ranked 13th.
92.56
Ranked 10th. 3% more than Nigeria
Punishment > Minimum life sentence to serve before eligibility for requesting parole Never 10, 15, or 25 years
Fear of crime > Worries about being insulted 75
Ranked 2nd. 18% more than South Africa
63.48
Ranked 9th.
Fear of crime > Worries about being mugged or robbed 77.94
Ranked 6th.
82.21
Ranked 5th. 5% more than Nigeria
Illicit drugs a transit point for heroin and cocaine intended for European, East Asian, and North American markets; consumer of amphetamines; safe haven for Nigerian narcotraffickers operating worldwide; major money-laundering center; massive corruption and criminal activity; Nigeria has improved some anti-money-laundering controls, resulting in its removal from the Financial Action Task Force's (FATF's) Noncooperative Countries and Territories List in June 2006; Nigeria's anti-money-laundering regime continues to be monitored by FATF 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
Prisoners per 1000 0.313 prisoners
Ranked 151st.
4 prisoners
Ranked 11th. 13 times more than Nigeria
Background Nigeria is one of the limited number of countries in the world that still has the <a href="http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/cri_exe-crime-executions">death penalty.</a> However, according to figures in 2007, the number of executions are low at just 6. China, by comparison is the table topper with 470 executions. Meanwhile, the total <a href="http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/cri_pri-crime-prisoners">prison population</a> of Nigeria is an estimated 40,000 prisoners, the 36th highest in the world. 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 ?? Certain murder, rape and robbery
Fear of crime > Worries about home break and enter 69.44
Ranked 10th.
82.06
Ranked 3rd. 18% more than Nigeria
Prisoners > Female 1.9%
Ranked 113th.
2.2%
Ranked 106th. 16% more than Nigeria
Punishment > Life sentence under the age of 18 or 21 No life imprisonment sentence ??
Punishment > Has life imprisonment Yes Yes
Fear of crime > Worries about things from car being stolen 81.25
Ranked 6th.
81.48
Ranked 4th. About the same as Nigeria
Punishment > Has indefinite sentence Yes No
Fear of crime > Worries about car being stolen 76.39
Ranked 5th.
77.59
Ranked 4th. 2% more than Nigeria
Prisoners > Share of prison capacity filled 101.5%
Ranked 89th.
159.4%
Ranked 26th. 57% more than Nigeria
Prisoners > Pre-trial detainees 63%
Ranked 17th. 2 times more than South Africa
28.3%
Ranked 80th.
Unpaid diplomatic parking fines 58.6
Ranked 15th. 72% more than South Africa
34
Ranked 26th.
United States extradition treaties > Date signed December 22, 1931 September 16, 1999
Unpaid diplomatic parking fines per million 0.453
Ranked 79th.
0.747
Ranked 70th. 65% more than Nigeria
Property crime > Losses due to theft, robbery, vandalism, and arson > % sales 4.1%
Ranked 1st. 4 times more than South Africa
1%
Ranked 5th.

SOURCES: Wikipedia: Defense of infancy (Ages of criminal responsibility by country); 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); Wikipedia: Capital punishment in Europe (Abolition); UN Office on Drugs and Crime, UN Survey of Crime Trends, at http://www.unodc.org/documents/data-and-analysis/IHS-rates-05012009.pdf.; Annexe I of the Small Arms Survey 2007 ; 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.; 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); 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; 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.; 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.; World Bank, Enterprise Surveys

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