Brazil Sees Decline in Intentional Violent Deaths, but Crimes Against Women and Children Rise

Strategic Insights -

Despite a 5.4% drop in intentional violent deaths, Brazil's 19th Brazilian Public Security Yearbook highlights a concerning increase in crimes targeting women, such as femicide, and children, including rape, femicides, and child sexual abuse material production. The report also notes a rise in disappearances, with 81,873 cases registered, which "puts the decline in lethal violence into perspective." Analysts attribute the overall downward trend in homicide rates to public policy efforts, demographic shifts, and changes in the dynamics of organized crime.

Key Takeaways:

  • The number of intentional violent deaths declined by 5.4% in Brazil, reaching 44,127 nationwide.
  • Crimes targeting women, such as femicide, rose 0.7% to 1,492 victims, the highest since 2015.
  • Offenses against children and adolescents increased, with 2,356 victims in 2024, including a 3.7% rise in child abandonment cases.
  • Disappearances rose by 4.9%, with 81,873 cases registered, putting the decline in lethal violence into perspective.
  • Brazil recorded one rape every six minutes in 2024, with 87,545 cases involving both female and male victims—the highest number since records began in 2011.
  • Nearly half (45.5%) of rape perpetrators were family members, and 20.3% were intimate partners or ex-partners.
  • The number of intentional violent deaths of children and adolescents was the highest in the North (12.9) and Northeast (23.4) regions.
  • São Paulo accounted for 813 police killings, a 61% increase from 2023, with 19.2% of adolescents (12-17) killed during police operations.

Statistics:

  • 44,127 intentional violent deaths were recorded in 2024 nationwide.
  • 20.8 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants is the national rate for intentional violent deaths.
  • 81,873 cases of disappearances were registered, with a 4.9% rise compared to the previous year.
  • Femicides rose 0.7% to 1,492 victims in 2024.
  • 87,545 cases of rape were recorded, with a total of 41.2 cases per 100,000 people.
  • Family members accounted for 45.5% of rape perpetrators.
  • 80% of femicide victims were killed by current or former partners.
  • São Paulo accounted for 19.4% of police killings nationwide.

Sources:

  • 19th edition of the Brazilian Public Security Yearbook, released by the Brazilian Public Security Forum (FBSP)
  • Interview with Renato Sérgio de Lima, FBSP's president
  • Interview with Samira Bueno, FBSP's executive director