Catalina Espinosa
Research expert covering society, economy, and politics for Europe and the EU
Crime in Belgium - Statistics & Facts
In 2021, just under 867,000 crimes were registered by the Belgian Federal Police, although these figures only reflect reported and recorded crimes. Because laws and practices vary between jurisdictions, comparing crime statistics between countries can be difficult. Nonetheless, the Belgian police combines a local and federal entity. Both operate on different levels across the three regions of the country.
The overall number of crimes in Belgium decreased in 2021 and the same can be said in Belgium’s regions as crime decreased in each region of Belgium. The type of crime varied significantly, as the most common types of registered crimes were theft and extortion, and crimes against public health, of which most crimes were likely pertaining to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and its restrictions on society. As 2021, approximately 89.7 per 100,000 inhabitants were incarcerated in Belgium.
In Belgium, from 2019 to 2021, a decreasing number of drug-related crimes were registered by the police. While possession offenses escalated from 47,200 thousand cases in 2019 to 40,900 thousand cases in 2021, drug dealing remained between 6,000 and 9,000 cases per year. Similarly, until 2019, around 19,000 to 21,000 alcohol abuse cases were filed annually by the Belgian Federal Police, whilst in 2021 this fell to around 16,200 registered cases.
Between 2008 and 2021, the Belgian police registered contrasting figures for crimes against physical integrity. Indeed, crimes such as physical violence, murder, and manslaughter have remained relatively steady over the years. For instance, roughly 77,700 physical violence cases were filed in 2009 against 66,400 in 2021. Family violence reports decreased in Belgium during this period, to around 9,900 cases registered by the police in 2021.
The overall number of crimes in Belgium decreased in 2021 and the same can be said in Belgium’s regions as crime decreased in each region of Belgium. The type of crime varied significantly, as the most common types of registered crimes were theft and extortion, and crimes against public health, of which most crimes were likely pertaining to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and its restrictions on society. As 2021, approximately 89.7 per 100,000 inhabitants were incarcerated in Belgium.
Types of crime in Belgium
The Belgian Federal Police registered decreasing reports of property crime between 2009 to 2021. During this period, burglaries decreased, reaching around 44,000 cases in 2021. In addition, vehicle theft dropped during this time. In 2021, there were roughly 27,000 stolen bike cases and 4,700 stolen cars over the same period, most of which were Volkswagens. On the other hand, debit card fraud and extortion figures fluctuated significantly in Belgium. Card fraud cases ranged from around 5,000 to 12,000 cases from 2008 to 2021 and over 3,000 thousand reported extorsions were filed each year since 2012 in the country.In Belgium, from 2019 to 2021, a decreasing number of drug-related crimes were registered by the police. While possession offenses escalated from 47,200 thousand cases in 2019 to 40,900 thousand cases in 2021, drug dealing remained between 6,000 and 9,000 cases per year. Similarly, until 2019, around 19,000 to 21,000 alcohol abuse cases were filed annually by the Belgian Federal Police, whilst in 2021 this fell to around 16,200 registered cases.
Between 2008 and 2021, the Belgian police registered contrasting figures for crimes against physical integrity. Indeed, crimes such as physical violence, murder, and manslaughter have remained relatively steady over the years. For instance, roughly 77,700 physical violence cases were filed in 2009 against 66,400 in 2021. Family violence reports decreased in Belgium during this period, to around 9,900 cases registered by the police in 2021.
Rising cybercrime
According to police reports, a relatively new form of crime in Belgium has been on the rise. Between 2008 and 2021, cybercrime cases have multiplied in the country. In 2021, cases peaked at over 47,600 reported crimes. Computerized forgery, fraud, hacking, and sabotage are classified as cybercrime. Yet, in a broader view, other crimes can be cyber-crimes if virtually perpetrated, such as harassment, voyeurism, child sex abuse, money laundering, or incitement to terrorism. Nonetheless, Belgium had the lowest index score of money laundering and terrorist financing in the Benelux.
