Finland’s Low Financial Crime Rate: A Safe Haven for Citizens

Finland, known for its reputation as a safe country, has maintained its position among the Nordic countries with low crime rates. According to recent data, property and traffic offenses continue to be the most common types of crimes, accounting for the majority of all reported offenses.

Crime Rates in Finland: A Slight Decrease

In 2022, a total of 476,000 crime cases were reported to Finnish authorities, a slight decrease from the previous year. The overall crime rate stood at 85.54 per 1,000 population, down from approximately 87 per 1,000 inhabitants in the year before.

Breakdown of Crime Offenses

• Traffic offenses: Made up around a quarter of all reported offenses and violations.
• Thefts: Saw an increase in 2022, contributing to the overall crime rate.
• Negligent homicide: The number of victims decreased from 142 in 2012 to 89 in 2022, attributed to factors such as alcohol use and social exclusion.

Domestic Violence and Sexual Violence

• Domestic violence: Affects women disproportionately, with almost 69% of domestic violence victims being female in 2022.
• Sexual violence: More men fell victim to violence during the past decade.

Imprisonment Rates and Rehabilitation

• Daily average number of people behind bars: Decreased by nearly half from 1975 to 2022.
• Incarceration rate: One of the lowest in Europe, at around 50 per 100,000 inhabitants.
• Recidivism rates: Falling due to Finland’s focus on rehabilitation and reintegration into society.

A “Softer” Approach to Punishing Crime

Finland’s approach aims to reduce the likelihood of reoffending and promote successful reentry into society.