Global attitudes to crime and law enforcement

Key findings: 

• Crime is a key concern, but the economy is front and centre. Creating jobs and boosting the economy remains the top priority for people (50% on average across the 31 countries), surpassing protecting local citizens’ health and environment (27%) and stopping or reducing crime (24%). 
•  Poverty seen as root cause of crime: Poverty and unemployment (53%) is seen as the most significant cause of crime and violence, followed by drug and alcohol abuse (43%). Ineffective law enforcement is cited as a cause by 37% of global respondents, on average. 
•  One in three (31% on average) perceive crime to be rising in their neighbourhood while 9% say it’s on the decline. Chile (63%), Peru (62%), and Colombia (55%) are the three countries where a feeling crime is on the rise is most prevalent. 
•  However, there is little correlation across the countries between perceptions that crime is rising and actual crime levels. This report explores these “perils of perception”, using data from the United Nations and other sources. 
•  Majorities (in most countries) trust law enforcement: Globally, a majority trust law enforcement to treat all citizens with the same level of respect (57%). But in seven out of the 31 countries surveyed this figure falls to below one in two, including Mexico (where 49% trust law enforcement to treat all with respect), South Africa, Brazil, Israel (47%, respectively), South Korea, Poland (both 45%), and Hungary (42%). 
• A third (35%) feel it is ok to break the law to do the right thing. This sentiment is slightly higher among Gen Z, where it rises to 43%.

Economy seen as more important than stopping crime 

Fifty percent, on average across 31 countries say that governments should prioritize creating jobs and boosting the economy over protecting local citizens’ health and environment (27%) and stopping or reducing crime (24%). LATAM is where desire for a focus on crime is highest. In Chile 59% say its government top priority is reducing crime, followed by Peru (55%) and Mexico (43%). 

Perceptions of crime and what actions people feel governments should take sometimes plays out in unexpected ways. Overall, across the 31 countries Ipsos polled in, more say crime has stayed about the same in the past year, though many note a range of crimes they see in their communities, from vandalism to drug use to trafficking. However, some countries want their governments to prioritize crime even as many have not reported increases in crime, and vice versa, suggesting complicated issue priorities from the public.

The top causes of crime 

About half of respondents (53%) across 31 countries believe poverty and unemployment are the main cause of crime and violence in their area. Drug and alcohol abuse (43%) and ineffective law enforcement (37%) are also perceived as playing a role in causing crime. 

However, there are differences across the age categories. All generations see poverty and unemployment as leading causes of crime and corruption in their neighborhoods, though Boomers are more likely to say crime is also driven by a drug and alcohol abuse, and a breakdown of traditional values. Gen Z emphasizes a lack of education as a driver of crime in their community.

Can you break the law and do the right thing?

 An average of 35% of respondents across all 31 countries agree with the statement "Sometimes you must ignore the law to do the right thing," while 65% believe that "People should always obey the law, even if it interferes with their interests." 

The majority of surveyed individuals favor obeying the law at the expense of their personal interests, indicating a respect for the established legal order. But, this changes based on country and region. Countries like Israel (80%), Türkiye (79%), and Chile (73%) are most likely to express strong adherence to law and order. On the other hand, Belgium (52%), the Netherlands (44%), and Japan (44%) are more likely to say that sometimes the law must be ignored to do the right thing. Flexibility towards obeying the law suggests a more malleable approach to justice in these societies. 

This sense of justice, the law, and fairness may be influenced by historic political norms. For instance, countries with a more authoritarian past, like Chile and Türkiye, show a higher tendency towards law obedience, possibly reflecting the societal norms influenced by their historical experiences. However, countries with more liberal traditions, such as Belgium and the Netherlands, demonstrate a higher tolerance for ignoring the law when necessary.