Belgium: crime and justice

What is the homicide rate in Belgium?

Belgian police recorded 166 intentional homicides in 2024, or 1.40 per 100,000 inhabitants, according to Eurostat police-recorded offences data. There were 165 in 2023.

The figures follow the International Classification of Crime for Statistical Purposes and count offences recorded by the police, not court convictions. Attempted homicides are excluded. The Federal Police crime statistics site publishes Belgium's own breakdown by offence and municipality.

Official sources: Eurostat: police-recorded offences by category

How many people are in prison in Belgium?

12,581 people were held in Belgian prisons in 2024, against an official capacity of 11,040 places, according to Eurostat prison data. That is 106.46 prisoners per 100,000 inhabitants.

In 2023 there were 11,893 prisoners for 10,584 places. The count includes people on remand and sentenced prisoners, reported by the prison administration of the FPS Justice. The number held exceeding capacity means that some cells hold more people than they were designed for.

Official sources: Eurostat: prison capacity and number of persons held

How many police officers does Belgium have?

Belgium had 342.77 police officers per 100,000 inhabitants in 2024, according to Eurostat data on personnel in the criminal justice system. The rate was 508.21 for men and 181.35 for women, per 100,000 of each sex.

The figures cover the integrated police, made up of the federal police and the local police zones. They count police officers and exclude civilian staff. Recorded crime by offence and area is published on the Federal Police statistics site.

Official sources: Eurostat: personnel in the criminal justice system

What is the homicide rate in Belgium?

The latest figure from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, for 2021, is 1.1 per 100,000. That compares with 3.1 per 100,000 in 2002. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 1.1 per 100,000, and Belgium placed 23rd highest of 44. Of 109 countries with 2021 data, 77th highest.

How many women are killed in Belgium?

The latest figure from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, for 2021, is 0.2 per 100,000. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 0.7 per 100,000, and Belgium placed 42nd highest of 42. Of 98 countries with 2021 data, 95th highest.

How many men are killed in Belgium?

2.0 per 100,000: that is the homicide rate for men in Belgium for 2021, according to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime. Since 2005 it has ranged from 1.6 per 100,000 (2019) to 2.6 per 100,000 (2006). Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 1.6 per 100,000, and Belgium placed 13th highest of 42. Of 97 countries with 2021 data, 57th highest.

How many people have died in armed conflict in Belgium?

The latest figure from the Uppsala Conflict Data Program, for 2018, is 3. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 41, and Belgium placed 6th highest of 6. Worldwide: 36th of 37.