Netherlands homicide rates hit 30-year low

According to new data from the Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek (CBS), the number of homicides and assaults in the Netherlands reached its lowest level in thirty years in 2025. A total of 103 people were killed, which is 17 fewer than in 2024.

The decline was particularly notable among male victims, with 65 men killed, marking the lowest number for men since registration began in 1996. Female victims totaled 38. For women, the profile of the perpetrator remains consistent: approximately 50 percent of female victims were killed by a current or former partner.

In contrast, male victims have more diverse perpetrator profiles. Roughly 30 percent were killed by an acquaintance, and 23 percent were victims of settlements within criminal circles.

Geographically, the highest number of incidents occurred in the four largest municipalities. Over the last five years, these areas accounted for about a quarter of all victims, with Rotterdam recording 65 cases, Amsterdam 62, Den Haag 36, and Utrecht 12.