Economist comparison of crime rates in major European and US cities

[GarlicAnywhere]

The Economist reports on a new crime survey, adjusted for the different sizes of major cities. They didn't link to the original and I don't know if it's been published, The article's illuminating, though.

Big takeways: You are MUCH more likely to be murdered in a US city, but more likely to be robbed in Europe. I was surprised that we've got more thieves!

They do point out that rates of all crimes have fallen everywhere 🙂

Economist:
https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2026/08/09/is-europe-safer-than-america

Archived:
archive.today/g5Se1

And this is why I always say on the bring back hanging threads, the death penalty doesn't work. It isn't a deterrent and doesn't reduce violent crime overall, it doesn't even reduce recidivism

Agreed, @MiceSpiders. It demonstrably does nothing to reduce homicides.

The Economist does suggest America's heavier policing and keen incarceration policies could be responsible for their lower robbery stats. I'm not sure the researchers said that, though; it could just be the journalist making a guess.

I assume 'personal robbery' includes things like pick-pocketing and phone-snatching? In which case it is hardly surprising that European cities, with their high population densities and tendency for people to walk or use public transport, would have much higher rates that most US cities, where people spend a lot more time in their cars.

Yes, good point that European cities are richer hunting grounds for 'personal' robbers. Los Angeles came lowest of the featured cities, which would tie in with your theory about car usage. LA also came high on vehicle theft.

Chicago looks bloody dangerous! Very high on everything except domestic burglary. Maybe the crims are so busy killing each other and stealing cars, they don't have time to break into houses.

Chicago has always been a place where murders and accidental killings by guns are really high. My brother lives in the most expensive suburb in the greater Chicago area so it’s completely fine. When I first visited him 40 years ago as a teenager he warned me to not pass a certain street when I went in to downtown Chicago alone for the day. It’s the Southside of the city that has the highest concentration. I think it’s where the projects are, the equivalent of social housing.

When he offered to sponsor me many years ago ago aged 21 it was the gun culture that put me off. He is wealthy, not just a bit well off really very rich as is but on a lesser level my other brother who also moved there. Living the American dream completely.