In Copenhagen, the most common type of crime committed each year between 2012 and 2022 was property crime. In 2022, 53,000 crimes of this type were reported in Denmark's Capital. The second most common type of crime committed was so-called "special acts", which includes the use of euphoriant drugs, offensive use of weapons, and tax and fiscal crimes, among others. The number of crimes committed in Copenhagen decreased from 2016 to 2022.

Between 2012 and 2022, the number of homicides in Copenhagen varied between zero and 13. The years with no reported homicides was 2013, whereas it was at its highest in 2017. In 2022, 11 homicides were reported in the Danish Capital, a sharp increase from the previous year.

The number of reported criminal offences per 100 inhabitants in all types of offences in Denmark saw no significant changes in 2023 in comparison to the previous year 2022 and remained at around 9550. However, 2023 marked the second consecutive increase of the number in this industry. Find more statistics on all types of offences in Denmark with key insights such as Number of homicides per 100,000 inhabitants.

The number of reported criminal offences in Copenhagen overall declined from 2012 to 2022. Over this period, the number was at its highest in 2016, reaching 108,000 reported offences. However, especially after the outbreak of COVID-19, the number of reported crimes in the Danish Capital fell significantly, dropping to 75,000 in 2021. It increased by over 10,000 reported offences in 2022. In the whole country, 473,000 criminal offences were reported that year.

From 2010 to 2020, the share of people with a foreign background found guilty in crimes in Copenhagen increased. In 2010, less than one third of the persons found guilty had a foreign origin, a number that had increased to nearly 40 percent in 2021. However, a majority of persons found guilty in crimes in the Capital of Denmark are of Danish origin. In 2021, 12,010 people of Danish origin and 7,588 of foreign origin were found guilty in crimes in the city.

In 2022, the number of homicides in Denmark increased again after years of decline. That year, 55 homicides were registered. According to the Danish Penal Code, the penalty for homicide ranges from a minimum of a five-year prison sentence to imprisonment for life. Imprisonment for life implies 12 years in prison, before the inmate can apply for probation. Over the past decade, the total number of reported crimes in Denmark decreased.

Victims of crime  In 2021, the number of victims of criminal offences reported in Denmark fell below 60,000. This was the lowest number over the past 10 years. The most common type of crime experienced by Danes was violent crimes. The number was higher for men than for women.

Peaceful country  In general, Denmark is considered a safe and peaceful country. In 2022, the country was ranked the sixth most peaceful country in the world, only behind Iceland, New Zealand, Ireland, Austria, and Portugal. This ranking is measured by the level of social safety and security, the extent of ongoing domestic and international conflicts, and the degree of militarization.

In 2022, the highest number of reported criminal offences was registered in Denmark's largest cities. The highest number was reported in the Capital Copenhagen, with nearly 87,000 cases. By comparison, Aarhus, the city with the second highest number of reported crimes, only had 32,000, followed by Odense at 17,000. Meanwhile, the municipality of around 40,000 reported crimes in 2022 was unknown. The number of reported criminal offences in Denmark generally correlates with the size of the cities.

The number of reported cases of rape in Denmark increased significantly over the past years. While 367 rapes were reported in 2013, the number peaked in 2021, with over 2,100 cases. The number of rape charges also increased during this period. In 2022, 1,200 persons were charged for rape, meaning that a person was charged in 63 percent of the rape cases that year. The increasing number of reported cases of rape may not necessarily be down to an increase in the actual number, but is probably also related to an increased awareness around the topic.

The number of reported sexual offences in Denmark increased significantly since 2015. That year, less than 3,000 sexual offences were reported, a number that had increased to over 9,500 as of 2022. A vast majority of the victims are women. In December 2020, the Danish parliament passed a law based on sexual consent, following the example of the neighboring country Sweden.

Victims of criminal offences  In 2021, the number of reported victims of crime in Denmark dropped below 60,000. The most common crime experienced by Danes was violent crimes. The number of male victims was higher than female victims.

Safe country  In general, Denmark is considered a safe and peaceful country. In 2022, it ranked sixth in the ranking of the most peaceful countries in the world. Its Global Peace Index was 1.3. The following applies here: the lower the index value, the higher the peacefulness. This index measures the level of safety, the extent of current domestic and international conflicts, as well as the extent of militarization.