In 2024, Sweden recorded its lowest number of homicides in ten years, marking a significant drop in violent crime. Authorities attribute the decline to enhanced surveillance measures and increased security efforts.
According to Reuters, citing data from the Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention (BRA), Sweden reported 92 cases of fatal violence in 2024. This figure represents a decrease of 29 incidents compared to 2023 and is the lowest recorded since 2014, when 87 people were killed.
BRA acknowledged the substantial decline but urged caution when analyzing yearly fluctuations.
“When comparing years, it is important to consider that 2023 stood out as a year when an unusually high number of women and minors became victims of fatal violence compared to previous years,” the agency noted.
Despite the overall drop, firearm-related violence remained the leading cause of violent deaths, with 45 lives lost in 2024—eight fewer than the previous year.
Sweden has long grappled with gang-related violence, with gun-related deaths in 2023 occurring at a rate 2.5 times higher than the EU average. However, police credit the recent decline to expanded surveillance powers, including increased electronic monitoring and a greater deployment of security cameras.
