Crime in Latvia

Crime in Latvia is relatively low, by global standards, especially compared to previous years, when it was named the "crime capital of Europe" by Forbes^[1] in 2008. The homicide rate in Latvia was 4.9 per 100,000 people in 2020,^[2] a sharp drop from 10 cases per 100,000 people in 2000,^[3] and has been steadily decreasing,^[4] but has seen recent increases. The United States Department of State has assessed Latvia's security rating as "medium",^[5] with a moderate crime rate. In recent times, crime has been increasing, particularly due to many Latvians stranded because of the COVID-19 pandemic returning to Latvia and choosing to commit crime.^[6] According to Interpol, Latvia is considered an attractive place for regional and organized criminals involved in drug trafficking, arms trafficking, human trafficking, or smuggling.^[7] According to the Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia, a third of all women in Latvia have suffered some form of sexual violence or rape while men are subjected to violence outside the family.^[8]

Crime had seen massive increases in Latvia after the restoration of independence after end of the Soviet occupation.^[9] The market transition from a planned economy to a free market-economy caused great social uncertainty in Latvia, and the crime rates rose.^[10] The Latvian government defines crime as "an action endangering society and entailing criminal punishment whether committed intentionally or through negligence".^[11] Crimes in Latvia have also been committed by other nations, like Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union during their respective occupations of Latvia in 1940 and 1941.^[12]