Malawi | |
---|---|
Crime rates* (2023) | |
Violent crimes | |
Homicide | 2.3 |
Rape | 20 |
Robbery | 16.1 |
Aggravated assault | 68.1 |
Total violent crime | 70.9 |
Property crimes | |
Burglary | 109.8 |
Motor vehicle theft | 23.7 |
Arson | 11.6 |
Total property crime | 265.8 |
Notes *Number of reported crimes per 100,000 population. Estimated total population: 21,240,689. |
Southeast African nation of Malawi has a complicated criminal history that is a reflection of its political, economic, and cultural environment.[1][2] Although crime in Malawi dates back to pre-colonial times, it wasn't until the colonial era that it started to pose a serious threat.[3][2][4]
Malawi witnessed a remarkable decline in homicide rates between 2006 and 2012, plummeting from 6.3 to 1.8 per 100,000 people, a staggering 70% reduction.[5] Additionally, the Lilongwe Model Police Station saw a consistent decrease in arrests from 2017 to 2020, but this trend was disrupted in 2021 due to increased arrests related to Covid-19 regulations and sweeping exercises.[6] Furthermore, data from the World Prison Brief reveals that the proportion of prisoners to the general population reached its peak in 2006, indicating a significant improvement in the country's safety and security landscape over the years.[7][8]
Malawians' perceptions of crime and security, as reflected in Afrobarometer surveys, present a mixed picture. While the percentage of respondents who considered crime and security a top priority decreased from about 7% in 2005 to about 6.3% in 2019, suggesting a perceived improvement in the situation, other survey findings contradict this trend, indicating a more complex and nuanced situation.[9][10]