Crime rate in Portugal: A country with a low crime rate
Portugal has one of the lowest crime rates internationally, significantly below the European Union average. In 2020, Portugal was even ranked as the fourth safest country in the world.
Development of the crime rate:
2020: In 2020, Portugal recorded the lowest crime rate in 30 years.
Long-term trend: The crime rate in Portugal has been steadily declining since the 1990s.
Regional differences:
The crime rate tends to be slightly higher in tourist regions and large cities compared to rural areas.
Most common crimes:
Petty crime: Theft, especially pickpocketing, is the most common crime in Portugal.
Fraud: Fraudulent offenses, such as online fraud and credit card fraud, have been increasing in recent years.
Burglary: Burglaries of houses and apartments occur, but less frequently than in other European countries.
Violent crime: Violent crime, including assault and robbery, is extremely low.
Drug crime: Plays a role in some regions of Portugal, especially in the metropolitan areas of Lisbon and Porto.
Crime burden:
Victim experiences: In 2020, around 440,000 people in Portugal were victims of a crime.
Fear of crime: The fear of crime is very low among the Portuguese population, especially compared to other European countries.
Factors influencing the crime rate:
Social factors: Portugal has a relatively stable society with a low unemployment rate and poverty rate.
Economic factors: The Portuguese economy has stabilized in recent years, which has contributed to a decline in crime.
Strict gun laws: Portugal has stricter gun laws compared to other countries, which can contribute to a lower violent crime rate.
Effective policing: The Portuguese police are well-trained and efficient and work closely with the population.
Travel guides for Portugal can be found here on Amazon!*
To summarize:
Portugal is a very safe country with one of the lowest crime rates in Europe.
Petty crime is the most common offense, but violent crime is extremely rare.
Social factors, economic stability, strict gun laws, and effective policing contribute to the low crime rate.
Important note:
Crime statistics can be incomplete and do not fully reflect actual crime.
It is important to consider Portugal's crime rate in an international comparison.
Before your trip, inform yourself about the current security situation in Portugal and take the usual precautions.
Despite the low crime rate, you should, as in any other country, take care of your personal belongings in Portugal and take the usual precautions. With a little caution and common sense, you can make your stay in Portugal safe and enjoyable.