Italy homicide rates decline slower for women than men

A study by Eurispes reveals that while homicide rates in Italy have decreased significantly over recent decades due to a reduction in mafia and criminal violence, the decline has been much slower for women than for men.

Historical data from Istat shows that between 1992 and 2018, the male homicide rate dropped from 4 to 0.7 per 100,000 inhabitants. In contrast, the female rate fell from 0.6 to 0.4. While the ratio of male to female victims was five to one in the early 1990s, it has shifted to approximately two to one today.

In 2024, Istat estimated 106 suspected femicides out of 116 total female homicide victims. Approximately 86% of these crimes occurred within family or domestic settings. The risk for women increases with age, peaking among those aged 75-84. This trend mirrors broader European patterns, where women in 2023 were twice as likely as men to be killed by a partner or family member.