👮 Deadly violence decreased in Sweden during 2024

• A total of 92 cases of deadly violence were recorded during 2024, which is 29 fewer cases than the previous year.
• The number of victims under 18 years decreased by 7 cases, from 17 to 10 cases compared to 2023.
• Firearms remained the most common method of violence with 45 cases, but the number of cases where knives were used decreased by 16 cases.

During 2024, a clear decrease in deadly violence was documented in Sweden compared to the previous year. Statistics show that the number of cases of deadly violence decreased from 121 cases in 2023 to 92 cases in 2024, which corresponds to a decrease of 29 cases.

Fewer women and men fell victim to deadly violence

Of the 92 cases of deadly violence during 2024, 23 victims were female, which is 10 fewer than in 2023. The number of male victims amounted to 69, which means a decrease of 19 cases compared to the year before, according to Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention.

Jan Lundbeck, statistician at Brå, points out that 2023 was a year when unusually many women and minors fell victim to deadly violence compared to previous years, which is important to keep in mind when comparing the years.

Fewer minor victims

The statistics also show that 82 of the victims of deadly violence during 2024 were 18 years or older, which is 22 fewer cases than 2023. The remaining 10 cases concerned victims under 18 years, which means a decrease of 7 cases compared to the previous year.

Methods of violence

Firearms continued to be the most common method of violence during 2024 and were used in 45 cases, which is 8 fewer cases than 2023. The second most common method of violence was knife or other stabbing/cutting object, which was used in 25 cases during 2024, which is 16 fewer cases than the year before.