Crime > Background: Countries Compared
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| COUNTRY | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
| Afghanistan | As an Islamic state, Afghanistan’s approach to crime is pretty hard. However, it is far from the strictest. Still enforcing the death penalty, just 15 executions took place in 2007, almost a third of the number in the US that year, 120 less than neighbours Pakistan and 302 less than Iran. |
| Argentina | Like many South American nations, Argentina has a problem with violent crime. According to the UN, in 2002, it had the 4th highest rates of manslaughter in the world, behind Mexico, South African and India. The country also had the 15th highest number of crimes reported, with 1.3 million. Despite these figure, however, Argentina has one of the lowest rates of prisoners per capita, with 107 per 100,000 people. |
| Brazil | Violent crime is major area of concern for Brazil. The recent figures show that it has the highest number of murders committed by youths, at more than 20,000 committed between 1990 and 1999. Brazil also has the 5th highest rate of murders by youths per capita, with 32.5 per 100,000 of the population. However, corruption is also a big problem, with almost 67% of business managers identifying corruption as a constraint to business. |
| Canada | Canada has the 6th highest number of total crimes in the world, with more than 2.5 million crimes reported in 2002, while the 7th highest share of the population - 23.8% - claiming to have been victims of crime. However, despite these faces, Canadian has a positive overall perception of safety in the country, with 82% saying it was safe to walk at night, while 87% expressed satisfaction with police efficiency, the 2nd highest rate globally. |
| Chile | Serious crime is not as prevalent in Chile as it is in other South American countries, with just 183 manslaughters committed in 2002 and an overall homicide per capita rate of just 1.7 per 100,000 of the population, a rate that ranks Chile 28th in the world and quite some distance behind South Africa (125) and Colombia (114). The country has the 16th highest total prisoner population globally, of 36,636. |
| China | Like most of the its Asian neighbours, China has very strict policies when it comes to crime. The death penalty is commonly used, and in fact in 2007, it carried out a total of 470 executions, the highest number that year and almost 33% more than the next most active nation, Iran. The prisons are still busy, however, with China boasting over 1.5 million prisoners, the 2nd largest prisoner population behind the US. However, its prisoners per capita rate of just 119 per 100,000 of the population is very respectable, and far behind the US' rate of 715. |
| Cuba | Though a relatively small nation, Cuba is prone to a high degree of violent crime, with figures published in 2002 showing that there were 348 murders committed by youths, placing the country 15th amongst 73 nations. In fact, the rate of murders by youths per capita is the 16th highest on earth, at 9.6 per 100,000 of the population. It may surprise you to learn that the death penalty is still in use in Cuba, but sparingly so as just 5 executions took place in 2007. |
| Denmark | Denmark has one of the highest total number of crimes globally, with 491,026 crimes reported in 2002 - the 24th highest. Indeed, some 23% of the population claim to have been victims of a crime. Despite these facts, Danish people believe that their country is one of the safest, with 81% stating they feel they can walk in the dark safely, and 71% admitting their are satisfied with police efficiency. |
| Dominica | Not to be confused with the Dominican Republic on the island of Hispaniola, the tiny Caribbean island of Dominica understandably doesn't have a major crime problem, but with more than 7,800 crimes reported in 2002. Indeed, its prisoner population is just 298 but with a just 6 judges and magistrates on the island and one jail, it does mean there is a shocking over excess of prison capacity, at 143.3%. |
| Egypt | Like any country, Egypt has its fair share of crime, and boasts the 9th largest prisoner population with just under 62,000 people incarcerated. It still enacts the death penalty, though only in a limited way with 48 executions having taken place in 2007, the 5th highest number for the year though somewhat far behind China's 470 executions. However, it is the prominence of corruption that is of major worry to most, with 50.26% of business managers claiming it was a major business constraint - the 11th highest rate globally. |
| France | Surveys in France have revealed that 21.4% of French nationals claim to have been a victim of crime, and with a population of over 65 million, that means almost 14 million people. In 2002, there were 3.7 million total crimes reported in the country, the 4th highest in the world, behind the US (11.8 million), the UK (6.52 million) and Germany (6.51 million). However violent crime remains low, with only 91 murders committed by youths in 2002, a minute figure when compared to nations of smaller populations, like Colombia (12,834) and Venezuela (2,090). |
| Germany | With 6.5 million crimes reported, Germany had the 3rd highest number of total crimes in 2002, behind the US (11.8 million) and the UK (6.52 million). Strangely, it not only had the highest number of drug related crimes, 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 homicides per capita involving firearms just 1.6 per 100,000 of the population. |
| Indonesia | Like many chiefly Islamic Asian nations, crime is something that is taken extremely seriously in Indonesia, but officially the country has no major crime problems. With a total prisoner population of just 84,357, it has the 13th largest number of prisoners in the world. However, with such a large national population, its prisoner per capita rate is 145th largest of 164 nations, with just 38 per 100,000 of the population. And while the country retains the capital punishment, just one execution took place in 2007. |
| Iran | As an Islamic state, Iran has a very strict policy when it comes to dealing with crime. In fact, according to figures from Amnesty International, Iran carried out 317 documented executions in 2007, the 2nd highest number for the year behind China's total of 470. Still, Iran has the 10th largest prisoner population in the world with 163,526 prisoners, and the prison system is acutely overcrowded, with prison capacity filled to a rate of 243.1%. |
| Ireland | Ireland has the 50th largest number of crimes reported in the world, with just over 821,000 total crimes reported, but violent crime is not very common. In fact, it boasts one of the fewest instances of murders with firearms, with just 12 in 2002, and the number of murders committed by youths as small as 10 in the same year. Drug offences are proportionately low, with 190.2 such crimes committed for every 100,000 of the population, as opposed to Germany, with almost 251,000 per 100,000 of the population. |
| Italy | Crime figures show that Italy has the 4th highest total crimes tally amongst EU states in 2002, with their total of 2.2 million crimes coming behind the UK (6.52 million), Germany (6.51 million) and France (3.8 million). Globally, it has one of the highest percentages of crime victims, with 24.5% of its population claiming to be victims. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Italians have one of the lowest rates of faith in their police force, with just 54% stating they believe in police efficiency and 65% claiming its not safe to walk alone at night. |
| Jamaica | Jamaica's geographical position means that it is susceptible to drug related crime, it’s not short of non-drug related crimes. The country's rapes per capita rate is the 6th highest in the world for the period 1998 - 2000, at 0.4766 per 1,000 of the population. South Africa tops the table with 1,1954, with the Seychelles 2nd on 0.7883. Corruption is another prevalent crime with 45.56% of business managers identifying its influence in business, the 17th highest rate in the world and 2nd for 2005, behind Madagascar (46.08%). |
| Japan | As one if the most populous nations on earth, there can be no great surprise that Japan has one of the highest incidents of crime, with the total number of crimes reported in 2002 more than 2.85 million. That placed Japan 6th overall, with only 20% of that reported in the leading nation, the US. However, just 15.2% of Japanese people claiming to be victims of crime, placing the country 20th in the world, with 30% of Australian making a similar claim. Perhaps surprising to many is the fact that Japan still enacts the death penalty, with 9 prisoners executed in 2007. |
| Mauritius | Most recent figures show that Mauritius has a total of just under 36,000 crimes, placing it 61st in a table of 82 countries. However, serious crime is not a major concern, with just 4 youth related murders and 2 manslaughters recorded in 2001. However, assaults are a more regular occurrence, with 8.76 incidents per 1,000 population placing it third behind South Africa in the world. http://www.nationmaster.com/country/mu-oman Oman is one of two countries that divide Saudi Arabia from the Arabian Sea, sitting with Yemen on the bottom of the Arabian peninsula. Along with Saudi Arabia (676km) and Yemen (288km), it also shares its border with the United Arab Emirates (410km). Its capital, Muscat, is home to some 350,000 people, roughly 9% of the sultanate’s total population of just over 3 million.http://www.nationmaster.com/country/mx-mexico Mexico holds the distinction of being one of only two nations to border the US, with a 3,141km frontier that stretches from the Pacific Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico. However, it also shares borders with Belize (250km) and Guatamala (962km) to the south. It is the 12th most populous nation on earth, while its capital, Mexico City, is the 12th most populated city on earth, with 8.8 million citizens. http://www.nationmaster.com/country/mx-mexico/Age-_distribution Like almost every other country in the world, improved health standard and lifestyles means that the age distribution in Mexico will see a vast increase in the number of elderly. While figures in 2000, showed a males of 1.7 million males of the age of 50, figures in 2010 showed an increase to more than 2 million. This figure is expected to double to almost 4.5 million by 2050. Meanwhile the sex ration will remain in favor of women. |
| Mexico | Mexico’s reputation as one of the most dangerous nations in the world is upheld by the fact that in 2002, it was top of a list of 42 nations for manslaughters and 5th for the number of murders committed by youths. Unsurprisingly, they have the 3rd highest number of prisoners, with 173,000. http://www.nationmaster.com/country/mx-mexico/eco-economyDespite the fact that Mexico’s economy is one of largest in the world, with a GDP of over $839 billion, Mexico still has the highest percentage of a nation population earning below half of the median income, with some 16% of the country earning less than $1 per day. http://www.nationmaster.com/country/mx-mexico/edu-education Mexico has the longest school year in Latin America and the 5th longest in the world, with primary school students spending 42 weeks in the classroom. Despite this fact, Mexican 15 year old are bottom of the class amongst 27 nations in reading, mathematical and scientific literacy. http://www.nationmaster.com/country/mx-mexico/gov-government A federal democracy, the Mexican government is not shy of equality in representation, with some 24% of parliamentary seats held by women. However, it is also the 17th most expensive government in the world to run, costing the Mexican taxpayer some $88.7 million in 2005. http://www.nationmaster.com/country/mx-mexico/hea-health One of Mexico’s chief health concerns is obesity. With 24.2% of its population considered obese, it is 2nd in the world behind its northern neighbors, the US. Most recent figures show government spending on health is amongst the lowest in the world, at just 3.02% of GDP - just ahead of North Korea. http://www.nationmaster.com/country/mx-mexico/imm-immigration Despite its size and economic significance, Mexico is home to just 0.5% of the world’s immigrants. However, the country has a net migration figure of - 3.84 per 1,000, which means more citizens emigrate than immigrants come in. Unsurprisingly, the favored destination for Mexican emigrants is the US. http://www.nationmaster.com/country/mx-mexico/lab-labor Mexico has a total labor force of more than 42 million people, the 12th largest in the world. Of that figure, there is a heavy reliance on the services industry, with 58% of labor force employed working in that sector, with industrial sector 2nd and the agricultural sector 3rd. Interestingly, just over 15% of the labor force can boast 3rd level education. http://www.nationmaster.com/country/mx-mexico/peo-people With one of the biggest populations in the world, some 75% of the population is to be found in urban areas. In 2005, Mexico had the 7th largest urban population in the world, with a total of 78 million people - 6 million less than 6th-placed Japan, and 450 million short of leaders China! http://www.nationmaster.com/country/mx-mexico/rel-religion With such a strong Spanish heritage, there can be little surprise in the fact that the state is strongly Roman Catholic. In fact, Mexico is home to the 2nd highest Catholic population in the world, behind Brazil. However, less than half of Mexican Catholics attend church regularly. The other key religion is Protestant, with the remaining 5% including 318,000 Muslims and just 40,000 Jews. http://www.nationmaster.com/country/my-malaysia Despite being spread across the northern region of the island of Borneo and the southern half of the Malay peninsula, Malaysia has just three neighbors. It surrounds Brunei (381km), borders Indonesia to the south (1,782km) and has Thailand (506km) to the north of the Malay peninsula. However, it has a cast coastline most of which faces onto the South China sea. http://www.nationmaster.com/country/my-malaysia/cri-crime Malaysia is one of the strictest societies in the world, with by far the most amount of jails. In fact, it has 17 times that number of penitentiaries as the US, despite having less than 10% of the national population. Stlll, the policy seems to work as a deterrent, with just 167,000 crimes in total recorded in 2002.http://www.nationmaster.com/country/my-malaysia/eco-economyMalaysia has one of the most celebrated economies in Asia, but it has fallen behind some of its regional neighbors in recent decades - most notably Hong Kong, Thailand and Indonesia, all of whom have greater total GDP figures. However, the economy continues to grow steadily, a a growth in GDP of 5.16% in 2005. http://www.nationmaster.com/country/my-malaysia/edu-education Education is one of the priority sectors in Malaysia, with most recent figures showing its represented some 28% of public expenditure - the 5th highest figure globally - dedicated to the area, according to figures in 2003. The state also has the 7th longest school year in the world, with primary school students spending 41 weeks in the classroom, though 3 behind southern neighbors Indonesia. http://www.nationmaster.com/country/my-malaysia/hea-healthIn general, Malaysia is a fairly healthy country to live in, with males having only a 5% chance of not reaching 40 years of age, and enjoying 70% probability of reaching 65. Unfortunately, there isn’t too long to go after that, with the average life expectancy being 73.7 years. |
| Netherlands | According to 2002 figures, over 25% of Dutch citizens have been victims of crime, making it the 4th country, behind Australia, New Zealand and UK, in the crime victims table. However, this reflects a willingness to report crime rather than a greater risk, as the perception of safety in The Netherlands is 4th highest in the world, at 81%. |
| Nigeria | Nigeria is one of the limited number of countries in the world that still has the death penalty. 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 prison population of Nigeria is an estimated 40,000 prisoners, the 36th highest in the world. |
| Pakistan | Pakistan has one for the harshest justice systems in the world. In 2007, it administered 135 executions, the 4th greatest number of that year. For those who are committed to prison, the facilities are amongst the more crowded on earth, with a 222.5% prison capacity filled. |
| Peru | Peru figures in the top 10 in the table of murders involving firearms, but their 442 cases in 2002 is dwarfed significantly by leaders South Africa (31,918). Embezzlement (5,310 cases) and fraud (5,557 cases), however, are far more popular crimes. |
| Saudi Arabia | As a strongly Islamic nation, Saudi Arabia exercises very strict laws, a fact that is reflected in its high number of executions annually. In 2007, they were had the 3rd highest in the world, with 143, though that was some way behind Iran (317) and China (470). Nevertheless, they still have a prisoner population of more than 28,600, but over half of these are foreign prisoners. |
| South Africa | South Africa is one of the least lawful countries on earth, with the 5th highest number of total crimes reported in 2002. Some 32,000 of the 2.6 million crimes were murders with firearms, placing the country top of the global table, and 11,000 are manslaughters, the 2nd highest number. Unsurprisingly then, South Africa has an army of 101,000 in their police force. |
| The Bahamas | As a small country, it comes as a no surprise that the total prisoner population of the Bahamas is just 1,280, one of the lowest number. However, with a prisoner per capita rate of 410 per 100,000 population, the Bahamas ranks 9th in the world and has already 130% of its prison capacity filled. Perhaps what is most surprising is that the former British colony still has the death penalty, with 2 executions recorded in 2007. |
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As an Islamic state, Iran has a very strict policy when it comes to dealing with crime. In fact, according to figures from Amnesty International, Iran carried out 317 documented executions in 2007, the 2nd highest number for the year behind China's total of 470. Still, Iran has the 10th largest prisoner population in the world with 163,526 prisoners, and the prison system is acutely overcrowded, with prison capacity filled to a rate of 243.1%.
Posted on 19 Apr 2014
lulwakhaldi
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