Rape is documented across countries, but reported cases still capture only a fraction of harm. Worldwide, about 736 million women, roughly one in three, have experienced physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime. Country figures range widely, including 63 rapes per 100,000 people reported in Sweden and 97,000 incidents recorded in the UK year ending March, showing how reporting and trust in justice systems shape what “at risk” means.
Key Takeaways
- In Sweden, the reported rape rate was 63 per 100,000 people in 2019, highest in Europe per UNODC
- Globally, approximately 736 million women—about one in three (30%)—have experienced physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime as of 2021
- 68% of perpetrators in US rapes are known to the victim, BJS 2021
- Only 5.7% of rapes in the US lead to arrest, RAINN 2023
- Rape reports in US increased 25% during COVID-19 2020-2021, but convictions stable, FBI UCR
- In the US, lifetime rape prevalence for women is 21.3%, CDC NISVS 2016/2022 update
Global rape statistics show that sexual violence remains widespread, with many victims never reporting to authorities.
Related reading
01 · Category
Country Specific Incidence20 stats
01
In Sweden, the reported rape rate was 63 per 100,000 people in 2019, highest in Europe per UNODC
02
South Africa had 72.1 rapes per 100,000 women in 2022, per official crime stats
03
In the United States, 463,634 women experienced rape or sexual assault in 2021, BJS NCVS
04
Botswana reported 92.9 rape incidents per 100,000 population in 2010-2019 average, UNODC 2023
05
Lesotho had 82.7 rapes per 100,000 in 2010s data, highest globally per some metrics, WHO/UNODC
06
In India, 31,677 rape cases were registered in 2021, NCRB data
07
Australia recorded 28.7 rape offenses per 100,000 in 2022, ABS
08
UK reported 97,000 rape incidents in year ending March 2023, ONS
09
Kenya had 5,000+ rape cases reported in 2022, KNCHR
10
In Brazil, 66,000 rape cases in 2021, Brazilian Forum on Public Security
11
Mexico reported 25,224 sexual violence cases in 2022, INEGI
12
South Korea had 6,774 rape cases in 2021, KOSIS
13
In Nigeria, 11% of women aged 15-49 experienced sexual violence, NDHS 2018
14
Russia reported 3,307 rape crimes in 2022, Rosstat
15
Egypt saw 8,500 sexual harassment cases in 2022, often leading to rape, NCHR Egypt
16
In Canada, 33,521 sexual assaults reported in 2022, StatsCan
17
France recorded 27,000 rapes in 2022, Ministry of Interior
18
Germany had 8,530 rapes and sexual assaults in 2022, BKA
19
In Pakistan, 5,200 rape cases reported in 2022, HRCP
20
Sweden's rape rate was 85 per 100,000 in 2018, Brottsförebyggande rådet
Interpretation
Country Specific Incidence Interpretation
Across country specific incidence measures, the scale of rape reported varies widely, from Sweden’s 63 per 100,000 people in 2019 to South Africa’s 72.1 per 100,000 women in 2022, and to India’s 31,677 registered cases in 2021, showing how sharply local reporting and prevalence differ by place rather than following a single global pattern.
02 · Category
Global Prevalence29 stats
01
Globally, approximately 736 million women—about one in three (30%)—have experienced physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime as of 2021
02
Worldwide, 6% of women report being sexually assaulted by someone other than an intimate partner in their lifetime, according to WHO data from 2021
03
An estimated 120 million girls under 20 (about 10%) have experienced forced sexual intercourse or other forced sexual acts, per UNICEF 2021 report
04
Globally, 137 women die every day at the hands of an intimate partner, with sexual violence contributing significantly, WHO 2023 update
05
In 2018, the global prevalence of rape among women aged 15+ was estimated at 7.3% for non-partner sexual violence, from WHO multi-country study
06
Worldwide, 1 in 10 girls aged 15-19 have experienced forced sex, equating to roughly 50 million girls, UNICEF 2022
07
Global lifetime prevalence of child sexual abuse among girls is 18-20%, affecting over 200 million girls under 18 historically, per Lancet 2020
08
An estimated 82 million girls under 18 experience sexual violence annually worldwide, WHO/UNICEF 2021
09
Globally, sexual violence accounts for 7% of all violence against women, with 38% being intimate partner sexual violence, WHO 2021
10
In low- and middle-income countries, 35% of women aged 15-49 have experienced physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence, WHO 2021
11
Worldwide, 27% of women aged 15+ have experienced physical and/or sexual violence by an intimate partner, per WHO 2021 estimates
12
Global non-partner sexual violence lifetime prevalence for women is 6%, affecting around 180 million women, WHO 2021
13
Approximately 245 million women and girls aged 15+ experienced sexual violence by an intimate partner in the previous 12 months globally, UN Women 2020
14
In 2020, an estimated 1 in 3 women globally (736 million) faced rape or sexual assault in their lifetime, UN 2021
15
Global child sexual abuse affects 120 million girls under 20, or 1 in 10 worldwide, UNICEF 2021
16
Worldwide, 15% of women report first sexual experience as forced, equating to over 400 million women, WHO 2013 updated 2021
17
Sexual violence prevalence among adolescent girls globally is 9%, affecting 65 million girls aged 15-19, UNICEF 2022
18
Globally, 13% of women report sexual abuse before age 15, per meta-analysis in The Lancet 2011 updated 2020
19
An estimated 79 million girls under 18 were subjected to sexual violence in 2020 alone, WHO 2021
20
Global lifetime rape prevalence for women is 13% when including all forms, from Global Burden of Disease 2019
21
In 2019, sexual violence caused 1.5% of global DALYs among women aged 15-49, IHME 2021
22
Worldwide, 23% of women have experienced sexual violence in adulthood, WHO multi-country study 2005 updated 2021
23
Global estimates indicate 1.3 million women experience rape annually, extrapolated from WHO 2021 data
24
8% of global women report non-partner rape, affecting 240 million, WHO 2021
25
In conflict zones worldwide, 21% of women report sexual violence, UNHCR 2022
26
Global female genital mutilation often linked to sexual violence risk, affecting 200 million women, UNICEF 2023
27
12% of women globally experience sexual harassment leading to assault, ILO 2018 updated 2021
28
Worldwide, sexual violence in childhood affects 1 in 5 women, CDC global estimate 2020
29
Global rape reporting rate is under 10%, leading to underestimation by 90%, WHO 2021
Interpretation
Global Prevalence Interpretation
Under the Global Prevalence lens, large scale sexual violence remains widespread with about 736 million women, or 30%, experiencing physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence and around 120 million girls under 20, roughly 10%, facing forced sexual acts.
03 · Category
Perpetrator Characteristics19 stats
01
68% of perpetrators in US rapes are known to the victim, BJS 2021
02
Globally, 38% of sexual violence against women is by intimate partners, WHO 2021
03
In the UK, 90% of child sexual abuse perpetrators are male, NSPCC 2023
04
US rapists are 99% male, RAINN 2023
05
70% of global rape perpetrators are family members or acquaintances, UNODC 2021
06
In India, 95% of rape convicts are known to victims, NCRB 2021
07
Alcohol involvement in 50% of US rapes by perpetrators, NIJ 2022
08
60% of child rapists worldwide are fathers or stepfathers, UNICEF 2021
09
In South Africa, 40% of rapists are strangers, but 60% known, HSRC 2020
10
Repeat perpetrators commit 40% of US rapes, BJS 2021
11
75% of gang rapes involve male perpetrators aged 18-30, UNODC global data
12
In Australia, 80% of sexual assault offenders are male, ABS 2022
13
Teachers account for 20% of school-related child rapes globally, UNESCO 2021
14
In conflict areas, 30% of rapists are military personnel, UNHCR 2022
15
US college rapists are 72% white males, Campus stats 2022
16
85% of perpetrators in EU rapes are known to victims, FRA 2021
17
In Brazil, 50% of rapists are intimate partners, FBSP 2022
18
Globally, 45% of rapists have prior criminal records, UNODC 2023
19
In Canada, 95% of sexual assault perpetrators are male, StatsCan 2022
Interpretation
Perpetrator Characteristics Interpretation
Across multiple countries, the “Perpetrator Characteristics” picture is dominated by the fact that most rape and sexual violence perpetrators are known to the victim, with figures like 68% in the US and 70% globally pointing to family members or acquaintances rather than strangers.
More related reading
04 · Category
Reporting And Conviction21 stats
01
Only 5.7% of rapes in the US lead to arrest, RAINN 2023
02
In the UK, 1.6% of reported rapes result in conviction, CPS 2023
03
Globally, only 10% of rapes are reported to police, WHO 2021
04
In India, conviction rate for rape is 27% in 2021, NCRB
05
US rape reporting rate is 31% for females, BJS NCVS 2021
06
In Sweden, 20% of reported rapes lead to conviction, Brå 2022
07
South Africa's rape conviction rate is 8.6%, SAPS 2022
08
Only 2% of rapes in France end in conviction, Ministry of Justice 2023
09
In Australia, 17% of sexual assaults result in conviction, AIC 2022
10
Brazil's rape conviction rate is 30%, but reporting low at 35%, FBSP 2022
11
In Germany, 8% conviction rate for rapes, BKA 2022
12
UK's rape reporting doubled but convictions fell to 1.4% in 2023, ONS/CPS
13
In Canada, 12% of sexual assaults lead to conviction, StatsCan 2022
14
Mexico reports 10% conviction rate for sexual violence, INEGI 2022
15
In Pakistan, less than 1% rape convictions due to low reporting, HRCP 2022
16
Kenya's conviction rate for defilement (child rape) is 67%, but adult rape lower at 20%, Judiciary 2022
17
In the EU, average rape conviction rate is 20%, but varies widely, Eurostat 2022
18
US federal rape conviction rate is 58%, but state level 35%, BJS 2021
19
South Korea rape conviction rate 80%, but underreporting high, KOSIS 2021
20
In Egypt, 5% of sexual violence cases convicted, NCHR 2022
21
Global underreporting of rape estimated at 90%, UN Women 2020
Interpretation
Reporting And Conviction Interpretation
Across countries, the reporting and conviction pipeline is extremely leaky, with only 10% of rapes globally reaching police reports and conviction outcomes ranging from just 1.6% of reported rapes in the UK to 20% in Sweden and 27% in India, underscoring how the chance of justice often depends more on what happens after reporting than on the crime itself.
05 · Category
Trends Over Time19 stats
01
Rape reports in US increased 25% during COVID-19 2020-2021, but convictions stable, FBI UCR
02
Global sexual violence prevalence rose 25% in first year of pandemic, WHO 2021
03
US rape victimization decreased from 1.2 per 1,000 in 2010 to 0.9 in 2021, NCVS
04
In India, reported rapes increased 20% from 2016 to 2021 post-Nirbhaya, NCRB
05
Sweden's reported rapes tripled from 2005-2018 due to legal changes, Brå
06
South Africa rape reports declined 10% 2019-2022 amid lockdowns, SAPS
07
UK police-recorded rapes rose 37% from 2013-2023, ONS
08
Australia's sexual assault reports up 13% 2018-2022, ABS
09
Brazil rape cases increased 15% from 2017-2021, FBSP
10
France saw 15% rise in rapes 2016-2022, Ministry Interior
11
Germany rapes up 8% post-2015 migrant crisis, BKA
12
Canada's sexual assaults down 20% since 2009 peak, StatsCan
13
Mexico sexual violence reports doubled 2015-2022, INEGI
14
Global child sexual abuse reports increased 30% during COVID, UNICEF 2022
15
US campus rapes reported up 144% since 2009 Clery Act changes, RAINN 2023
16
In Kenya, rape cases rose 12% 2018-2022, KNCHR
17
Pakistan reported rapes up 25% 2019-2022, HRCP
18
EU-wide sexual violence reports stable but convictions down 10% 2015-2022, Eurostat
19
South Korea rapes declined 20% 2010-2021, KOSIS
Interpretation
Trends Over Time Interpretation
Across trends over time, the data show that while rape reporting and measured prevalence sometimes rose sharply during major disruptions, such as a 25% increase globally in the first pandemic year and a 25% jump in US rape reports in 2020 to 2021, other measures moved differently, with US rape victimization falling from 1.2 per 1,000 in 2010 to 0.9 in 2021, underscoring how changing conditions and reporting dynamics can shift outcomes over time.
06 · Category
Victim Characteristics22 stats
01
In the US, lifetime rape prevalence for women is 21.3%, CDC NISVS 2016/2022 update
02
Globally, 82% of rape victims are female, UNODC 2021
03
In the EU, 5% of women have been raped since age 15, FRA 2014 updated 2021
04
Adolescent girls aged 15-19 represent 25% of global rape victims, UNICEF 2022
05
91% of rape victims in the US are female, RAINN 2023
06
Women aged 16-24 are 4 times more likely to be raped than older women, UK ONS 2023
07
42% of US rape victims are under 18, DOJ 2022
08
Indigenous women in Canada face rape rates 3 times higher than non-Indigenous, StatsCan 2021
09
In India, 93% of rape victims are known to the perpetrator, NCRB 2021
10
Disabled women are 3 times more likely to experience rape globally, WHO 2021
11
LGBTQ+ individuals face 2.5 times higher rape victimization rates, US NISVS 2022
12
In South Africa, 60% of rape victims are children under 18, HSRC 2020
13
Rural women experience 24% higher sexual violence rates than urban, WHO 2021
14
70% of child rape victims worldwide are girls under 12, UNICEF 2021
15
In Australia, 31% of rape victims are under 18, ABS 2022
16
Transgender women have rape victimization rates of 47% lifetime, USNTDS 2015 updated 2022
17
Elderly women over 60 face underreported rape, with 4% prevalence in EU, FRA 2021
18
Migrant women refugees report 20% sexual violence en route, UNHCR 2022
19
In Brazil, 55% of rape victims are black women, Forum Brasileiro de Segurança Pública 2022
20
Alcohol use among victims at time of rape is 50% in US cases, CDC 2022
21
80% of US campus rape victims are white women, but higher rates per capita for minorities, RAINN 2023
22
In Kenya, 40% of rape victims are schoolgirls aged 12-17, KNCHR 2022
Interpretation
Victim Characteristics Interpretation
From a victim characteristics perspective, rape victims are overwhelmingly female and young, with 82% of victims globally being women and adolescent girls aged 15 to 19 making up 25% of global rape victims, while in the US the lifetime prevalence for women is 21.3% and women aged 16 to 24 are four times more likely to be raped than older women.
report visual · Key figures
Global rape prevalence and reporting: how many experience it—and how many are counted
Rape or sexual assault affects hundreds of millions globally, but official reporting to police is far lower—highlighting major undercounting.
2020
In 2020, an estimated 1 in 3 women globally (736 million) faced rape or sexual assault in their lifetime, UN 2021
30%
Globally, approximately 736 million women—about one in three (30%)—have experienced physical and/or sexual intimate part
10%
Globally, only 10% of rapes are reported to police, WHO 2021
90%
Global underreporting of rape estimated at 90%, UN Women 2020
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Emilia Santos. (2026, February 13). Global Rape Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/global-rape-statistics
MLA
Emilia Santos. "Global Rape Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/global-rape-statistics.
Chicago
Emilia Santos. 2026. "Global Rape Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/global-rape-statistics.
Sources & references
44 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level