Slovakia crime statistics show drop in juvenile theft but rise in drug-related offenses

Slovak Prosecutor General Maroš Žilinka has released 2025 crime statistics, highlighting a significant decrease in juvenile property crimes alongside a concerning rise in offenses committed under the influence of drugs.

Juvenile property crimes fell by 39 percent in 2025, with 521 incidents recorded compared to 861 in 2024. Žilinka attributed this decline to legislative changes, specifically an amendment to the Criminal Code that raised the threshold for criminal liability regarding small damages from 266 euros to over 700 euros. This shift moved many lower-value offenses into the realm of administrative proceedings. Additionally, the decriminalization of certain types of theft contributed to the statistical drop.

Conversely, the data shows an alarming trend regarding substance abuse. Approximately 25.3 percent of offenders committed crimes while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. While alcohol-related offenses remained relatively stable, drug-influenced crimes saw a sharp increase. Specifically, the number of offenders under the influence of drugs rose by 59.6 percent in 2025 compared to 2024, and by 114.3 percent compared to 2023.