A comprehensive study by the University of Helsinki reveals that while Finland’s overall homicide rate has dropped, the number of female victims has stayed nearly the same. The research that was carried out by the Institute of Criminology and Legal Policy (Krimo) shows that between 2013 and 2023 the homicide rate fell by more than one-third from 1.4 to 0.9 per 100,000 inhabitants. This figure covers criminal deaths such as murder, manslaughter and negligent homicide.
Published: 22/08/25 | 23:15
The reduction was most notable among male victims. On average 62 men were killed annually in 2013-15, compared with 49 per year between 2020 and 2023. In contrast, the numbers for women showed little change with 22 female victims in 2013-15 and 24 in 2020-23. Researchers noted that the pace of decline slowed during the early 2020s.
The study also examined the nature of these crimes. Homicides carried out by men were most often directed at friends or acquaintances though it was also common for the victim to be a current or former partner. In fact, nearly 60 percent of female homicide cases involved the victim’s partner or ex-partner.
Alcohol and drugs frequently played a role with both the offender and the victim intoxicated in about 60 percent of cases. In nearly three-quarters of incidents at least one party was under the influence. Two-thirds of killings occurred in private homes with both men and women most often killed in their own residences.
Although the long-term trend points to a decline, Statistics Finland reported a sudden rise in homicides last year.
