Crime in Brazil

Crime in Brazil involves an elevated incidence of violent and non-violent crimes. According to most sources, Brazil possesses high rates of violent crimes, such as murders and robberies; depending on the source (UNDP or World Health Organization), Brazil's homicide rate is 30-35 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants, placing Brazil in the top 20 countries by intentional homicide rate.

Brazil is a heavy importer of cocaine, as well as part of the international drug routes.Arms and marijuana employed by criminals are mostly locally produced.

In 2015, Brazil had a murder rate of 25.2 per 100,000 population. There were a total of 50,108 murders in Brazil in 2015. Another study has the 2015 murder rate at 32.4 per 100,000, with 64,357 homicides.

List of the Brazilian state capitals by homicide rate (homicides per 100,000):

Murders increased during the late 2000s. Bucking this trend are the two largest cities. In 2008 Rio de Janeiro registered the lowest murder rate in 18 years, while São Paulo is now approaching the 10 murders per 100,000 mark, down from 35.7 in 1999. A notable example is the municipality of Diadema. where crime rates fell abruptly.

Total murders set new records in the three years from 2009 to 2011, surpassing the previous record set in 2003. 2003 still holds the record for murders per 100,000 in Brazil; that year alone the rate was 28.9. Police records post significantly lower numbers than the health ministry.

More than 500,000 people were killed by firearms in Brazil between 1979 and 2003, according to a 2005 UN report. Nearly half of those who died from gun violence during those years were aged between 15 and 24.

Carjacking is common, particularly in major cities. Local citizens and visitors alike are often targeted by criminals, especially during public festivals such as the Carnaval.Pickpocketing and bag snatching are common. Thieves operate in outdoor markets, in hotels and on public transport.

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