Law and criminality
in different countries
IGCSE Global Perspectives group project
By Iolanda Aiello and Niccolò Maria Ronchini
Countries with the highest crime indexes
A crime index measures the overall level of crime in a specific area based on reported incidents.
1) Venezuela: 81.2
2) Papa New Guinea: 79.7
3) Afghanistan: 78.3
4) Haiti: 77.9
5) South Africa: 75.4
6) Honduras: 73.4
7) Trinidad: and Tobago: 70.8
8) Syria: 69.1
9) Yemen: 68.6
10) Jamaica: 68.1
*According to a report published by World Population Review. These values refer to indexes for 2024.
What factors make countries more prone to high criminality indexes?
1) Economic Inequality and Poverty: There is a strong correlation between crime and high levels of income inequality and poverty. Crime has the potential to become a means of survival or expression of frustration when large portions of the population lack access to basic resources.
2) Weak Rule of Law and Corruption: The inefficiency of judicial systems, police corruption and extensive impunity in some countries lead them to experience higher crime levels. These situations cause a lack of trust in law enforcement, discouraging people from reporting crimes and overall developing a cycle of violence.
3) Youth Unemployment and Lack of Education: A disengaged youth population is more susceptible to criminal activities like gang recruitment. This can be contrasted with greater access to education.
4) Urbanization Without Infrastructure: When cities experience rapid growth without corresponding infrastructure, services or social planning, there is a risk of overcrowded areas, social exclusion and increased crime rates.
5) Cultural and Historical Factors: Criminal behavior can, in some cases, be normalized by legacies of conflict, colonialism and systemic violence.
A global perspective on laws and punishments
Across the world, how laws are written, enforced and punished varies and this often has a significant impact on crime levels. In particular, in countries with high criminality indexes, law enforcement systems may face serious challenges such as corruption and a lack of resources. Complications like these can make it harder to reduce crime and enforce justice.
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Venezuela and South Africa both struggle with serious challenges like robbery and homicide. The justice system in Venezuela has been severely enfeebled by political instability and corruption. South Africa does have strong legal foundations, nevertheless, it still struggles with problems such as delays in court cases and police understaffing.
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Nordic countries stand out for their low crime rates as their justice systems focus on rehabilitation rather than punishment, therefore, prisons prioritize education, mental health and reintegration into society. In these countries, people generally trust legal institutions and the government, thereby leading to a peaceful and law-abiding society.
Comparing the use of the death penalty and life imprisonment between countries
Countries punish crimes in various ways; for example, while the death penalty and life imprisonment are still applied in Saudi Arabia, countries like Germany and Italy follow justice models that focus more on rehabilitation. Life imprisonment is still an applicable sentence in these two countries, but their justice systems allow the possibility of reintegration in many cases. In the United States, it is still applicable in some states, while life imprisonment is widely used. This comparison helps to reflect on which approach is the most efficient at reducing crime and promoting reintegration into society.
How some countries have shown that it is possible to reduce crime
Some countries have demonstrated that it is possible to reduce crime with the correct combination of laws, reforms and support systems.
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Hong Kong has reduced crime levels drastically by creating a strong anti-corruption agency and rebuilding trust in the police.
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Rwanda, after years of conflict, has focused on community-based justice and reconciliation, thereby contributing to reconstructing safety and social unity.
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In Singapore, a combination of severe laws and well-maintained public spaces has led to one of the lowest crime rates in the world.
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Georgia also distinguishes itself for having completely reformed its police system to combat corruption, leading to a strong reduction in criminality.
These success stories demonstrate that, with efficient policies and effort, countries can make substantial progress in creating safe societies.
Some of the most common crimes in the world
Across the globe, some crimes are more frequent than others. According to data published by the United Nations (UNODC, 2023) and other international organizations, thefts and robberies make up over 50% of crimes reported worldwide, affecting, for the most part, private properties, shops and cars. In some cities like London, New York and Paris, pickpocketing is one of the most common crimes. Violent crimes, such as homicides and assaults, are particularly concentrated in some areas: South America and countries like El Salvador, Honduras and Venezuela record elevated homicide rates (up to 40-50 homicides per 100 000 inhabitants). In European countries, these rates are pronouncedly lower (approximately 1 homicide per 100 000 inhabitants). Aside from traditional crimes, new challenges are emerging: drug trafficking remains widespread, especially in countries like Mexico and Colombia, while cybercrime is steadily growing, with a yearly increase of 20% according to Interpol.
Become part of the solution!
Even if criminality may seem like a problem too big to resolve, each and every one of us can contribute to change. The first important thing to do is to become informed: research the causes of criminality, understand the mechanisms of justice systems and reflect on how societies can become safer. Another way to help is to join or create awareness campaigns, as they can teach people the importance of the law, promote respect for human rights and encourage peaceful resolutions for conflicts. Some other simple actions, such as talking about these topics at school, sharing accurate information on social media and supporting organizations that work for justice, can also make a difference.
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