Highlights
Podcasts of this article are available on Spotify and YouTube.
A world review of citizen perceptions of safety. The United States and Canada (and Sub-Saharan Africa) are the only regions of the world where perceptions of safety decreased because of crime. For the US and Canada, it declined from 76 percent in 2006 to 72 percent in 2023.
For the rest of the world, perceptions of safety increased.
Author
Leonard Adam Sipes, Jr.
Former Senior Specialist for Crime Prevention and Statistics for the Department of Justice’s clearinghouse. Former Director of Information Services, National Crime Prevention Council. Former Adjunct Associate Professor of Criminology and Public Affairs-University of Maryland, University College. Former police officer. Retired federal senior spokesperson.
Former advisor to presidential and gubernatorial campaigns. Former advisor to the “McGruff-Take a Bite Out of Crime” national media campaign. Produced successful state anti-crime media campaigns.
Thirty-five years of directing award-winning (50+) public relations for national and state criminal justice agencies. Interviewed thousands of times by every national news outlet, often with a focus on crime statistics and research. Created the first state and federal podcasting series. Produced a unique and emulated style of government proactive public relations.
Certificate of Advanced Study-The Johns Hopkins University.
Author of ”Success With The Media: Everything You Need To Survive Reporters and Your Organization” available at Amazon and additional booksellers.
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A comprehensive overview of crime for recent years is available at Violent and Property Crime Rates In The U.S.
Background
This article is based on two scores, perceptions of crime in individual countries and sections of the world based on perceived safety. It’s based on Gallup’s latest annual update on global safety.
I also use Gallup’s Global Safety Starts To Slip.
See last year’s Safest And Most Dangerous Countries-Where Does The US Rank? for additional information.
141 countries were surveyed with the United States ranking 42nd in 2022.
The United States ranked 52nd in 2023.
Note that nine countries have the same score as the US and another 5 were one point higher for 2023.
Many of the countries scoring better than the US in are rather small in population: Switzerland, Iceland, Taiwan, Finland, Luxemburg, Norway, Vietnam, Denmark, Slovenia, Hong Kong, Israel, South Korea, Belgium, El Salvador, Croatia, Egypt, Portugal, Georgia, Philippines, Armenia, United Arab Emirates and others score better “but” do not have the population or the diversity of the US.
Some believe that the US is one of the most dangerous countries in the world based on crime. Eliminating the smaller less diverse countries or countries with similar scores, the United States would score much higher.
The question, however, is whether growing crime in Canada and the US is leading those two countries to judge themselves as less safe.
Article
Gallup’s latest annual update on global safety shows people worldwide feel safer today than they did a decade ago, but many countries have a long way to go to achieve the “peaceful societies” that are essential for sustainable development.
In 2023, 70% of adults worldwide said they feel safe walking alone at night where they live, which is considerably higher than it was a decade ago and at most points in Gallup’s nearly 20-year trend. However, progress has stalled on this measure in the past several years, and slightly fewer people today feel safe than in 2020 when a record-high 72% felt safe.
Chart (click for an interactive chart)
The United States-Canada and Sub-Saharan Africa are the only sections of the world where perceptions of safety decreased. For the US and Canada, it went from 76 percent in 2006 to 72 percent in 2023.
World Rankings For Safety
Regionally, at least seven in 10 people feel safe in Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, Northern America (U.S. and Canada), and post-Soviet Eurasia. Of all the regions, post-Soviet Eurasia has gained the most ground in the past two decades; almost twice as many felt safe in 2023 (71%) as in 2006 (37%).
People continue to feel the least safe in Sub-Saharan Africa (51%) and Latin America and the Caribbean (47%). Further, feelings of safety have declined more in Sub-Saharan Africa than in any other region over the past two decades.
In Latin America and the Caribbean, feelings of safety have historically been low, with the percentage of people who feel safe never reaching above 50%. However, there have been some notable exceptions in recent years that have shown a shift in perceptions of safety in certain countries.
El Salvador Emerges as a Safe Haven
One of the most significant turnarounds in terms of safety perceptions has been seen in El Salvador. Once plagued by high rates of violence and crime, the country has made remarkable progress in improving safety for its residents. In 2023, a record-high 88% of Salvadorans reported feeling safe, marking the first time the country has topped the list of “most safe” nations in the region.
The government’s crackdown on gangs, which has led to a significant decrease in crime rates and the incarceration of a large portion of the population, has been credited with the improved sense of safety in El Salvador. The country now boasts one of the lowest homicide rates in the Western Hemisphere, signaling a positive shift in the overall safety landscape.
Challenges in Israel and North America
While El Salvador’s success story is encouraging, other regions continue to face challenges in maintaining feelings of safety among their populations. In Israel, a series of attacks in October 2023 led to a decrease in the percentage of people who reported feeling safe. The country’s safety perceptions dropped from 82% in 2022 to 68% following the incidents, highlighting the impact that security threats can have on public confidence.
In North America, both the United States and Canada have seen a decline in perceptions of safety over the years. Despite efforts to combat crime, including increased policing and crime prevention measures, the region has experienced a rise in violent incidents and criminal activity. In Canada, a surge in violent crime rates has raised concerns about public safety, while the US has faced challenges in accurately measuring and addressing crime levels.
Addressing Safety Concerns
The discrepancies in safety perceptions across different regions highlight the complex nature of crime and security issues. While some countries have made significant strides in improving safety and reducing crime rates, others continue to grapple with ongoing challenges that impact public confidence.
Addressing safety concerns requires a multi-faceted approach that includes effective law enforcement strategies, community engagement, and social programs aimed at addressing root causes of crime. By working together to create safer environments for all residents, countries can build a stronger foundation for future prosperity and well-being.
As perceptions of safety continue to evolve in Latin America, the Caribbean, and beyond, it is essential for governments, communities, and individuals to prioritize safety and security as fundamental components of a thriving society.
By addressing the underlying factors that contribute to crime and violence, countries can create a safer and more secure environment for all citizens, ultimately leading to a brighter and more hopeful future for generations to come.
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