Iraq crime rate drops to record low in 2024: report

Crime rates significantly declined in Iraq during 2024, local authorities have said, expecting the decline to continue in 2025.

On Wednesday the Strategic Centre for Human Rights, citing Interior Ministry data, said Iraq recorded a 15 per cent reduction in overall crime rates last year compared to the previous year.

In 2022 and 2023, Iraq recorded the highest murder rate in the Arab world, with an annual rate of more than 11.5 deaths per 100,000 people.

The centre’s report showed a 20 per cent drop in violent crimes, as well as a 12 per cent decrease in theft-related offenses.

“Drug-related crimes also saw an 18 per cent decline while murder cases fell by 22 per cent, with 1,200 recorded in 2024, down from 1,540 in 2023,” the centre said, adding that serious assaults decreased by 18 per cent, with 3,500 incidents compared to 4,270 the previous year.

“Home burglaries dropped by 10 per cent, with 8,000 cases reported, down from 8,900 in 2023, while car thefts declined by 14 per cent, with 5,500 incidents, compared to 6,400 the year before,” it added.

The centre said financial crimes also saw a notable reduction where bribery and embezzlement cases dropped by 25 per cent, with 1,200 incidents in 2024, down from 1,600 in 2023.

Financial fraud declined by 20 per cent, with 900 recorded cases compared to 1,125 the previous year.

Regarding drug-related offenses, the report noted an 18 per cent drop in drug trafficking cases, with 2,500 incidents recorded in 2024, down from 3,050 in 2023. Drug use cases also fell by 15 per cent, with 4,000 reported cases compared to 4,700 the previous year.

The report attributed the decline in crime rate to “enhanced security measures, stricter law enforcement and anti-corruption efforts,” though challenges remain in “tackling organised crime and illicit drug networks.”

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