Homicide is a crime in which the death of another person is caused by intent. It is also called murder or felony murder. It is distinguished from accidental killings such as involuntary manslaughter and negligent homicide. Criminal codes differ in their definition of homicide and the degree of intent required for conviction. For example, the murder of a close relative, called matricide or parricide, is more serious than the killing of a stranger, called opportunistic homicide or reckless homicide. Some countries also differentiate the crime by relationship or context, with a special penalty for the murder of lineal descendants and mitigating punishments for killings that are motivated by a sudden intense passion to avenge honor.
The table below shows the number of homicide incidents per 100,000 people in various countries around the world, with rates adjusted for population size. The data is based on United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime reports.
Although some cities have seen increases in homicide rates over the past decade, overall, most have fallen. The rate in the first half of 2025 was 14% lower than in the same period in 2024, and gun offenses were one of the few crimes to increase. This reduction in violence is largely due to focused deterrence strategies such as Oakland Ceasefire and other programs that combine street outreach, coaching and counseling, and job skills training with targeted sanctions.
About the Author
