Homicides increase in Finland during first half of 2023 according to Statistics Finland data

The number of homicides in Finland increased in the first half of 2023 compared to the same period last year, according to Statistics Finland. Authorities recorded 48 homicides, an increase of 21 cases compared to the previous year. The data is drawn from Statistics Finland’s recent crime and enforcement statistics report. Of the reported homicides, 31 are being investigated as manslaughter and 17 as murder. Last year, a total of 57 homicides was recorded, the lowest number in the history of statistics.

Kimmo Haapakangas, a senior statistician at Statistics Finland, suggests that the rise in cases this year is largely due to the exceptionally low homicide rate of the previous year. Although there has been a trend of decrease in homicide cases in recent years, the 48 cases reported in the first half of this year are the highest since early 2014.

Of the reported homicides from January to June, 31 occurred in private settings, three in restaurants, and 14 in public places. The proportion of homicides committed in public spaces was higher than at any time since 2015, according to Haapakangas.

In addition to the rise in homicides, there has also been an increase in sexual offenses. The number of rapes rose by approximately 11 percent, while all sexual offenses increased by 21 percent. Haapakangas noted that around one in four sexual offenses occurred online. A new sexual crimes law came into effect at the start of 2023, changing the classifications and definitions of these crimes, which has contributed to the increased reporting of sexual offenses.