Homicide rates surge in Finland, raising concerns among experts

This year’s increase in homicide rates in Finland raises questions, though it’s premature to draw definitive conclusions. Miisa Törölä, a university researcher at the Institute of Criminology and Legal Policy (Krimo), emphasizes that statistics must be analyzed over a longer period to identify broader trends.

According to Statistics Finland, 75 murders or homicides were reported from January to September this year, compared to 57 for the entire previous year. Törölä notes that the annual numbers fluctuate significantly, with 86 homicides recorded in 2020—almost 30 more than last year. September was particularly grim, witnessing 16 reported cases.

Törölä points out that there is no clear cause for the recent short-term spikes in statistics. Meanwhile, Statistics Finland reminds that last year, Finland recorded its lowest number of homicides ever. Törölä also observes that, over the long term, homicides have decreased in Finland, with a quarter fewer cases reported between 2009 and 2022. Factors contributing to this decline include an aging population, changing lifestyles, and a reduced frequency of interpersonal conflicts.

Moreover, improvements in emergency and healthcare services over the past decades are likely to have decreased the number of fatalities from serious violence. Pasi Nieminen, a police chief from the Central Finland Police Department, noted earlier this year that past homicides were often linked to alcohol-related group violence, which has diminished over time and contributed to a decline in homicide rates.