Sweden records lowest level of deadly violence since 2012

Deadly violence in Sweden has fallen to its lowest level in over a decade, according to a new report from the Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention (Brå) published Tuesday.

The 2025 statistics show a decline in fatal violence for the second consecutive year, with gun-related killings decreasing for the third year in a row. Brå investigator Klara Hradilova-Selin called the trend a potential “turning point” during an interview with SVT’s Morgonstudion.

“This type of conflict can escalate temporarily, which is reflected in the monthly police statistics showing occasional spikes,” Hradilova-Selin said. “But the overall development is moving in the right direction.”

She attributed the decline to increased police resources and targeted efforts against gang-related crime. Clearance rates for serious offenses—particularly gang-related homicides—have improved significantly. Previously, only 30 percent of gang-related killings were solved, compared to nearly 100 percent for other fatal violence. The gap has now narrowed.

“A lot has been done right,” Hradilova-Selin said. “There’s active work to counter these shootings, and with more officers and greater resources, we’re seeing higher clearance rates in the most serious cases.”

While the report covers data from early 2025, Hradilova-Selin cautioned that it is too soon to predict long-term trends. However, she dismissed the idea that the recent declines are coincidental, citing sustained crime prevention measures.