Brottsrate

Brottsrate, or crime rate, is a statistic that expresses how common crime is within a population over a specific period, typically measured as the number of offenses per 100,000 inhabitants per year. The rate can be based on police-reported crimes, on victimization surveys that capture unreported offenses, or on a combination of both, depending on the country and the statistical framework.

Measurement usually involves counting the offenses recorded during a time frame and dividing by the population, then multiplying by a standard base such as 100,000. The exact acts that count as crimes and the way they are classified vary by jurisdiction, which affects comparability over time and across countries. In many places, crime rates rely primarily on police data, while victimization surveys help address the so-called dark figure of crime—incidents that are not reported to the police.

Data sources commonly include national statistical offices, police records, and crime prevention agencies. International organizations such as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the OECD, and the European Union also publish cross-country crime statistics, often harmonizing definitions to aid comparisons. However, differences in reporting practices, legal definitions, and data collection methods mean that cross-national comparisons should be interpreted with caution.

Brottsrate is used to monitor trends, inform policy, and assess perceived safety, but it is not a direct measure of the likelihood of crime for any individual. It reflects reported activity and the broader context of reporting and recording practices.

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