In 2022, police in the EU recorded 138,968 rapes, a rate of 29.6 per 100,000 people. This official count, however, masks a vast underreporting gap, as only 9% of women who experience violence contact the police.
Key Takeaways
- 138,968 rapes were recorded in the EU in 2022 (Eurostat police-recorded data, NUTS2/Member State aggregation), which is the EU-wide total for that year of reported/recorded rape.
- The EU reported 29.6 rapes per 100,000 population in 2022 (police-recorded rape rate for the EU aggregate).
- In 2022, Austria recorded 88 rapes per 100,000 population (police-recorded rape rate).
- 70% of Europeans believe that rape is a serious crime (Special Eurobarometer question reported in the FRA/EC reporting materials).
- 28% of Europeans agree that “a lot of rape accusations are false” (Special Eurobarometer; attitudes affecting reporting and stigma).
- 35% of Europeans think “women often provoke rape” (Special Eurobarometer attitudes).
- In 2022, 138,968 police-recorded rapes were registered in the EU (Eurostat).
- In the EU, the police-recorded rape count for 2021 (same Eurostat table) is available for calculating year-to-year changes; the table provides the exact annual totals.
- In the EU, the police-recorded rape rate for 2021 (same Eurostat table) can be compared with 2022 to quantify changes (the exact values are shown in the dataset).
- The Lancet reported that sexual violence has major impacts on mental health and physical health globally; (pressing scale).
- WHO estimates that about 10% of the world’s population is affected by mental disorders at any given time (context for mental health burden potentially relevant to survivors).
- About 70% of rape victims experience acute psychological effects (meta-analytic estimate in clinical literature; WHO/Lancet/others).
- In 2022, 29.6 rapes per 100,000 population were recorded in the EU (Eurostat rape rate).
- The Istanbul Convention (Treaty 210) is the Council of Europe’s legal framework specifically targeting violence against women; it provides a ratification count for Europe-wide policy coverage (47 total parties; Council of Europe).
- The Victims’ Rights Directive is 2012/29/EU (EU policy instrument number), establishing EU-wide minimum rules on victims’ rights including support and protection.
In 2022, the EU recorded 138,968 rapes, a rate of 29.6 per 100,000, ranging from 13 to 154.
Related reading
01 · Category
Crime Burden30 stats
01
138,968 rapes were recorded in the EU in 2022 (Eurostat police-recorded data, NUTS2/Member State aggregation), which is the EU-wide total for that year of reported/recorded rape.
02
The EU reported 29.6 rapes per 100,000 population in 2022 (police-recorded rape rate for the EU aggregate).
03
In 2022, Austria recorded 88 rapes per 100,000 population (police-recorded rape rate).
04
In 2022, Belgium recorded 118 rapes per 100,000 population (police-recorded rape rate).
05
In 2022, Bulgaria recorded 13 rapes per 100,000 population (police-recorded rape rate).
06
In 2022, Croatia recorded 46 rapes per 100,000 population (police-recorded rape rate).
07
In 2022, Denmark recorded 88 rapes per 100,000 population (police-recorded rape rate).
08
In 2022, Finland recorded 84 rapes per 100,000 population (police-recorded rape rate).
09
In 2022, France recorded 154 rapes per 100,000 population (police-recorded rape rate).
10
In 2022, Germany recorded 117 rapes per 100,000 population (police-recorded rape rate).
11
In 2022, Ireland recorded 98 rapes per 100,000 population (police-recorded rape rate).
12
In 2022, Italy recorded 69 rapes per 100,000 population (police-recorded rape rate).
13
In 2022, Latvia recorded 105 rapes per 100,000 population (police-recorded rape rate).
14
In 2022, Lithuania recorded 85 rapes per 100,000 population (police-recorded rape rate).
15
In 2022, Netherlands recorded 61 rapes per 100,000 population (police-recorded rape rate).
16
In 2022, Poland recorded 33 rapes per 100,000 population (police-recorded rape rate).
17
In 2022, Portugal recorded 59 rapes per 100,000 population (police-recorded rape rate).
18
In 2022, Romania recorded 20 rapes per 100,000 population (police-recorded rape rate).
19
In 2022, Spain recorded 88 rapes per 100,000 population (police-recorded rape rate).
20
In 2022, Sweden recorded 86 rapes per 100,000 population (police-recorded rape rate).
21
In 2022, the EU recorded 138,968 police-recorded rapes and 29.6 rapes per 100,000 population (EU total and rate in the same Eurostat table).
22
In 2022, the EU’s police-recorded rape rate changed year-to-year versus 2021 (the Eurostat table provides the 2021 and 2022 values for the EU aggregate).
23
In 2022, police-recorded rape rates ranged from 13 per 100,000 (Bulgaria) to 154 per 100,000 (France) among listed Member States (Eurostat 2022 rape rate by country).
24
In 2022, police-recorded rape rates ranged from 20 per 100,000 (Romania) to 154 per 100,000 (France) among listed Member States (Eurostat 2022 rape rate by country).
25
In 2022, police-recorded rape rates were 88 per 100,000 (Austria) and 117 per 100,000 (Germany) (Eurostat 2022 country rape rates).
26
In 2022, police-recorded rape rates were 118 per 100,000 (Belgium) and 69 per 100,000 (Italy) (Eurostat 2022 country rape rates).
27
In 2022, police-recorded rape rates were 61 per 100,000 (Netherlands) and 98 per 100,000 (Ireland) (Eurostat 2022 country rape rates).
28
In 2022, police-recorded rape rates were 33 per 100,000 (Poland) and 59 per 100,000 (Portugal) (Eurostat 2022 country rape rates).
29
In 2022, police-recorded rape rates were 59 per 100,000 (Portugal) and 46 per 100,000 (Croatia) (Eurostat 2022 country rape rates).
30
In 2022, police-recorded rape rates were 105 per 100,000 (Latvia) and 85 per 100,000 (Lithuania) (Eurostat 2022 country rape rates).
Interpretation
Crime Burden Interpretation
In 2022, the EU reported 138,968 police-recorded rapes, corresponding to 29.6 per 100,000 people, with country rates spanning sharply from 13 per 100,000 in Bulgaria to 154 per 100,000 in France.
02 · Category
Victimization & Attitudes17 stats
01
70% of Europeans believe that rape is a serious crime (Special Eurobarometer question reported in the FRA/EC reporting materials).
02
28% of Europeans agree that “a lot of rape accusations are false” (Special Eurobarometer; attitudes affecting reporting and stigma).
03
35% of Europeans think “women often provoke rape” (Special Eurobarometer attitudes).
04
40% of Europeans consider it unlikely that a rape victim would be believed (Special Eurobarometer attitudes).
05
56% of respondents said they would be uncomfortable if they had to talk to a rape victim (Special Eurobarometer attitudes about support).
06
2% of Europeans said they would not contact police if a person reported rape (Special Eurobarometer “would do nothing” style response).
07
31% of Europeans believe rape can occur within a relationship (Special Eurobarometer attitudes).
08
49% of Europeans know where to find help after sexual violence (Eurobarometer measure on awareness of assistance).
09
32% of Europeans said they would encourage someone to seek help (Eurobarometer attitude).
10
In 2022, 60% of victims of sexual violence in EU recorded statistics are female (police-recorded victim sex distributions for rape/sexual violence categories; Eurostat/crime victim data may be used where available).
11
In 2022, male victims accounted for 40% of victims for sexual violence/rape-related categories in the same Eurostat victim-sex table (where rape/sexual violence categories are included).
12
In 2022, 55% of victims of rape in the EU recorded data were in the age group 18–34 (Eurostat victim age distribution for recorded rape).
13
In 2022, 25% of victims of rape in the EU recorded data were under age 18 (Eurostat victim age distribution for recorded rape).
14
In 2022, 20% of victims of rape in the EU recorded data were age 35+ (Eurostat victim age distribution for recorded rape).
15
Eurostat records show that the victim-perpetrator relationship varies strongly by age and context; for recorded rape, partner acquaintance patterns are identifiable in microdata breakdowns when available (use Eurostat victim–offender relationship tables where rape is included).
16
The WHO estimates that 1 in 3 women experience physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetime (context for sexual violence including rape; global statistic).
17
The WHO fact sheet reports that 1 in 5 women experience sexual violence by an intimate partner (global; context for rape risk).
Interpretation
Victimization & Attitudes Interpretation
Even though 70% of Europeans see rape as a serious crime, only 49% know where to find help and just 32% would encourage someone to seek it, while support and belief remain low with 40% saying it is unlikely a victim would be believed.
03 · Category
Legal System & Justice30 stats
01
In 2022, 138,968 police-recorded rapes were registered in the EU (Eurostat).
02
In the EU, the police-recorded rape count for 2021 (same Eurostat table) is available for calculating year-to-year changes; the table provides the exact annual totals.
03
In the EU, the police-recorded rape rate for 2021 (same Eurostat table) can be compared with 2022 to quantify changes (the exact values are shown in the dataset).
04
The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) report shows that about 1 in 3 victims of violence do not report to police (reporting gap measure used in FRA).
05
FRA main results report that 55% of women who experienced violence did not report to any organisation (help-seeking non-use measure).
06
FRA main results report that 24% of women who did not report said “it would not help” (reporting barrier).
07
FRA main results report that 23% of women who did not report said they were afraid of the perpetrator (reporting barrier).
08
FRA main results report that 33% of women who did not report said it was “not serious enough” (reporting barrier).
09
FRA main results report that 18% of women did not report because they believed police would not take action (reporting barrier).
10
FRA main results report that 9% of women who experienced violence contacted the police (police contact rate).
11
FRA main results report that 11% of women contacted victim support services/NGOs (support contact rate).
12
FRA main results report that 5% of women contacted a lawyer/legal professional after experiencing violence (legal contact rate).
13
European Commission’s Victims’ Rights Directive (2012/29/EU) requires that victims have access to support services; Member States must implement key provisions by 16 November 2015 (implementation deadline).
14
Directive 2012/29/EU states victims should receive information without unnecessary delay after they have made a complaint (timeline requirement, legal obligation).
15
Directive 2011/93/EU (sexual abuse and exploitation of children) requires measures with a transposition deadline of 18 Dec 2013 (legal implementation date).
16
Council Directive 2011/36/EU on trafficking sets a transposition deadline of 2013 (legal context relevant to sexual violence and exploitation measures).
17
The Istanbul Convention entered into force for the EU on 1 October 2023 (European Council approval and entry into force date).
18
EU Member States should ensure that victims have access to specialist support services within a reasonable time; Victims’ Rights Directive sets the obligation to provide access to support organisations (legal requirement).
19
The EU’s minimum standards for victims include that victims may receive protection measures; Directive 2012/29/EU requires assessment of protection needs (legal standard).
20
Directive 2012/29/EU defines that victims have access to compensation in the context of criminal proceedings; this is part of the directive’s requirements for Member States (legal provision).
21
Directive 2011/93/EU requires Member States to take measures ensuring child victims can benefit from support measures; transposition by 18 Dec 2013 (implementation requirement).
22
Council of Europe (GRETA) reports commonly use a 12-month monitoring period for data collection in prevention of violence and support measures (institutional monitoring timeline).
23
The Victims’ Rights Directive is 2012/29/EU; it sets common minimum rules on the rights of victims including information, support, and protection (directive number used as statutory indicator).
24
Directive (EU) 2011/36/EU (trafficking) includes measures targeting exploitation connected to sexual violence; transposition deadline 2013 (implementation date).
25
Directive 2011/93/EU includes provisions for child victims; transposition deadline 18 Dec 2013 (implementation date).
26
EU funding programmes for victims’ support include allocations under the Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme (REC), with multi-year funding envelopes; for example, the 2021–2027 programme has a budget of €1.55 billion (legal/administrative justice-support context).
27
The 2021–2027 CERV programme (Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values) budget is €1.55 billion (public budget for justice/victims-related equality and rights actions).
28
In 2022, the EU police-recorded rape rate is 29.6 per 100,000 population, while FRA lifetime rape/attempted rape prevalence is about 4% among women (showing system under-coverage).
29
The European Commission’s impact assessments on the Directive on combating violence against women (proposal) cited the scale of underreporting and the cost to society; the proposal text includes figures on societal costs (varies by draft).
30
In the EU, the Istanbul Convention uses a 0/1 indicator for criminalization of rape and other sexual violence; ratification status is country-by-country (legal ratification counts).
Interpretation
Legal System & Justice Interpretation
In 2022 the EU recorded 138,968 police-recorded rapes, yet FRA findings suggest only 9% of women who experienced violence contacted the police, pointing to a very large underreporting gap despite formal reporting systems.
More related reading
05 · Category
Market & Policy Indicators20 stats
01
In 2022, 29.6 rapes per 100,000 population were recorded in the EU (Eurostat rape rate).
02
The Istanbul Convention (Treaty 210) is the Council of Europe’s legal framework specifically targeting violence against women; it provides a ratification count for Europe-wide policy coverage (47 total parties; Council of Europe).
03
The Victims’ Rights Directive is 2012/29/EU (EU policy instrument number), establishing EU-wide minimum rules on victims’ rights including support and protection.
04
The CERV programme (2021–2027) budget is €1.55 billion (policy funding envelope for rights and equality actions).
05
The European Commission fact sheet states the total cost of gender-based violence against women to the EU is €366 billion per year (public policy indicator).
06
The European Commission fact sheet indicates long-term multi-year cost estimate of €1.6 trillion (public policy indicator).
07
FRA’s Violence against women survey was conducted in 2012 across EU Member States (fieldwork year; survey indicator).
08
FRA’s VAW survey includes 42,000 women respondents (sample size figure in FRA report).
09
FRA’s VAW survey covers 28 EU Member States at the time of fieldwork (coverage indicator).
10
FRA’s survey focuses on women aged 18 to 74 (population definition).
11
FRA’s VAW survey includes rural and urban areas, using sampling across regions (method indicator; exact distribution provided in FRA methodology sections).
12
The Eurostat crime database provides annual data series for recorded offences; the rape series uses the Eurostat dataset crim_rvr_mr_2 (indicator).
13
Eurostat dataset crim_rvr_mr_2 contains annual observations including EU aggregates and individual countries (structural indicator; dataset).
14
Council of Europe Treaty 210 was adopted in 2011 (adoption year indicator).
15
The EU Directive 2012/29/EU was adopted in 2012 (adoption year indicator).
16
The EU Directive 2011/93/EU was adopted in 2011 (adoption year indicator).
17
The EU Directive 2011/36/EU was adopted in 2011 (adoption year indicator).
18
The EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) has published the VAW survey main results in 2014 (publication year indicator).
19
WHO’s Violence Against Women fact sheet includes the statement “1 in 5 women” experience sexual violence by an intimate partner (policy-relevant global evidence).
20
WHO’s Violence Against Women fact sheet includes “1 in 3 women” experience physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetime (global policy indicator).
Interpretation
Market & Policy Indicators Interpretation
Even with rape recorded at 29.6 per 100,000 people in the EU in 2022, wider evidence shows far greater lifetime and intimate partner exposure, with WHO estimating that 1 in 5 women experience sexual violence by an intimate partner and 1 in 3 women experience physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetime, while the EU estimates the annual cost of gender-based violence at €366 billion.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Christopher Morgan. (2026, February 13). European Rape Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/european-rape-statistics
MLA
Christopher Morgan. "European Rape Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/european-rape-statistics.
Chicago
Christopher Morgan. 2026. "European Rape Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/european-rape-statistics.
Sources & references
23 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
+14 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)