Crime Rate in Greece: A Country with Moderate Crime
Greece has a moderate crime rate in an international comparison. The number of crimes in 2021 was above the average of the European Union, but below the average of OECD countries.
Development of the Crime Rate:
2021: In 2021, the crime rate in Greece was about 5% higher than in 2020.
Long-term trend: The crime rate in Greece has been decreasing since the 1990s, with an increase in recent years.
Peak: The crime rate reached its highest level since 2010 in 2021.
Regional Differences:
Urban-rural divide: The crime rate tends to be higher in cities than in rural areas.
Regions: Attica, the region around Athens, has the highest crime rate, while the Ionian Islands have the lowest.
Most Frequent Crimes:
Theft: Theft, especially pickpocketing, is the most common crime in Greece.
Burglary: Burglaries of houses and apartments are also common.
Fraud: Fraudulent offenses, such as online fraud, have been increasing in recent years.
Violent crime: Violent crime, including assault and robbery, is relatively low.
Burden of Crime:
Victim experiences: In 2021, around 2.3 million people in Greece were victims of a crime.
Fear of crime: Fear of crime is relatively high among the Greek population, especially in large cities.
Factors Influencing the Crime Rate:
Social factors: Poverty, unemployment, and social inequality can contribute to crime.
Economic factors: The economic crisis of recent years has led to an increase in crime in Greece.
Tourism: Tourism can contribute to crime, as tourists are often easier targets for crime.
Border location: Proximity to other countries, especially countries with high crime rates, can lead to an increase in crime.
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To summarize crime rate in Greece:
Greece is considered a relatively safe country, but the crime rate has been rising in recent years.
Theft and burglary are the most common crimes.
Regional differences and social factors play a role in the crime rate.
The perceived burden of crime among the population is relatively high.
Important note:
Crime statistics may be incomplete and do not fully reflect the actual level of crime.
It is important to consider Greece's crime rate in an international comparison.
Before your trip, please inform yourself about the current security situation in Greece and take the usual precautions.