Crime in Italy - Statistics & Facts
The absolute number of crimes reported by the police to the judicial authority in Italy decreased in the past years. In 2014, there were 2.8 million, whereas in 2019, the number of crimes decreased to 2.3 million. The province with the highest crime rate is Milan. The capital city of Lombardy recorded roughly 6.7 thousand crime cases per every 100,000 inhabitants in 2019. Especially Milan, the second largest Italian city and capital of Lombardy, ranked first for theft rate and second for robbery rate. On the other hand, the South of Italy has a much higher car theft rate. In the ranking of the leading ten provinces for car thefts, most of the positions are occupied by southern provinces.
In terms of violent crimes, the number of homicides in Italy also experienced a drop. Between 2011 and 2020, homicides decreased from 555 to 278. Particularly, the absolute number of femicides fell in the last three years. The largest amount of cases was registered in 2000 with 199 homicides and in 2003 with 200. However, relative data show that in relation to the total number of homicides, the share of female victims increased. Data on the total number of voluntary manslaughters committed in Italy – including both male and female victims – show that in most of cases, the killer was a family member or the partner of the victim.
Known around the world, organized crime cannot be left out when sketching the crime situation in Italy. Five major active mafia-like organizations are known to exist in Italy: the Cosa Nostra (or the Sicilian Mafia) of Sicily, 'Ndrangheta of Calabria, Camorra of Naples, Stidda of Sicily and Sacra Corona Unita of Apulia. According to recent data, the number of Mafia-type associations in Italy amounts to 93. In the last years, this figure decreased, reaching its peak in 2005 at 153 known organizations. Nationwide, the largest number of mafia crimes take place in the Italian region of Calabria. Three southern Italian regions followed in the ranking: Sicily, Campania, and Apulia. Nevertheless, compared to the 1980s, the share of homicides related to mafia in Italy decreased. Since 1991, a special investigation body, Anti-Mafia Investigation Directorate Direzione Investigativa Antimafia or DIA) operates in Italy in the fight against the mafia.
In terms of violent crimes, the number of homicides in Italy also experienced a drop. Between 2011 and 2020, homicides decreased from 555 to 278. Particularly, the absolute number of femicides fell in the last three years. The largest amount of cases was registered in 2000 with 199 homicides and in 2003 with 200. However, relative data show that in relation to the total number of homicides, the share of female victims increased. Data on the total number of voluntary manslaughters committed in Italy – including both male and female victims – show that in most of cases, the killer was a family member or the partner of the victim.
Known around the world, organized crime cannot be left out when sketching the crime situation in Italy. Five major active mafia-like organizations are known to exist in Italy: the Cosa Nostra (or the Sicilian Mafia) of Sicily, 'Ndrangheta of Calabria, Camorra of Naples, Stidda of Sicily and Sacra Corona Unita of Apulia. According to recent data, the number of Mafia-type associations in Italy amounts to 93. In the last years, this figure decreased, reaching its peak in 2005 at 153 known organizations. Nationwide, the largest number of mafia crimes take place in the Italian region of Calabria. Three southern Italian regions followed in the ranking: Sicily, Campania, and Apulia. Nevertheless, compared to the 1980s, the share of homicides related to mafia in Italy decreased. Since 1991, a special investigation body, Anti-Mafia Investigation Directorate Direzione Investigativa Antimafia or DIA) operates in Italy in the fight against the mafia.
