Costa Rica

2022

656
Victims of intentional homicide
858
Monthly victims of domestic violence (2021)
2.1
Female violent death rate (intentional homicides) per 100,000 women (2021)
0,70
Femicide rate per 100,000 women (2021)

Key Data

  • In 2022, the rate of intentional homicide reached 12.6 per 100,000 population 
  • Records show 68 victims of intentional homicide, as compared to the same period in 2021.
  • Victims are 92.7% male, 7.2% female and 0.2% of unknown sex.
  • On average, 55 victims of intentional homicide are recorded per month, six more victims per month compared to the same period in 2021.
  • The primary victims of intentional homicide continue to be young people, with 53% pf tje, between 20 and 34 years of age.
  • Some 72% of intentional homicides were committed using a firearm, 16% using a sharp weapon, and 12% by other means.
  • As to the motive, 63% of intentional homicides were linked to organized crime.
  • Provinces where occurrence is highest: Limon, San Jose, Puntarenas and Alajuela.
  • Women are the main victims of domestic violence: Eight in 10 victims are female and four in five perpetrators are male (2021).
  •  According to the 2022 National Citizen Security Survey Costa Rica:
    • 65.5% of people consider the country not very or not at all safe.  
    •  Women perceive more intensely the likelihood of becoming a victim of crime.
  • During 2021, some 5,419 people were charged with infringement of the Weapons and Explosives Law. According to the Ministry of Public Security, nine in ten infractions involved illegal carrying of a sharp weapon or firearm.
  • In 2021, there were 84,770 people charged with violating the Law on narcotics, psychotropic substances, unauthorized drug use, and related activities, money laundering and financing terrorism. About 98% of these violations involved drug possession.

 

Source: Judicial Investigation DepartmentObservatory on Gender-Based Violence against Women and Access to Justice and 2022 National Citizen Security Survey, Costa Rica.

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