GITNUXREPORT 2025

Norway Crime Statistics

Norwegian crime rates are decreasing, with property, cyber, and violent crimes declining.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The number of violent crimes in Norway decreased by 12% from 2018 to 2022

Statistic 2

Juvenile crime rates in Norway have declined by 8% over the past five years

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Cybercrime reports in Norway increased by 23% from 2020 to 2022

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Norway's firearm-related crimes constitute less than 2% of total criminal cases

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The recidivism rate in Norway is approximately 40% within three years post-release

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The majority of property crimes in Norway are committed by repeat offenders, accounting for 60% of such cases

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The number of antisocial behavior reports in Norway increased by 5% from 2019 to 2022

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Norway's crime reporting rate is approximately 65% of actual crimes, indicating underreporting

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Cybersecurity incidents in Norwegian businesses increased by 28% from 2020 to 2022

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The number of juvenile preventive interventions in Norway has decreased by 15% over five years, indicating changing youth crime dynamics

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The rate of organized crime activity in Norway accounts for about 2.5% of total crime reports, with a focus on drug trafficking and money laundering

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The number of reported cyber harassment cases in Norway increased by 35% between 2020 and 2022

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The incidences of vandalism in Norway decreased by 10% from 2019 to 2022, according to police records

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Norway's data shows that 38% of criminal cases involve alcohol consumption at the time of the offense

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65% of crimes in Norway are committed by men, with women mainly involved in shoplifting and minor thefts

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The number of sexual assault cases reported in Norway increased by 10% from 2020 to 2022, mainly in urban areas

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Norway’s enforcement agencies have increased patrol hours in high-crime areas by 18% in the last two years

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The national crime victimization rate in Norway is approximately 8%, based on survey data, indicating the proportion of population experiencing crime annually

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Norway's homicide rate was approximately 0.5 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2022

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Norway's rate of thefts recorded in 2022 was approximately 950 incidents per 100,000 people

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Norway's prison incarceration rate is approximately 57 per 100,000 inhabitants

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The rate of drug-related crimes in Norway has decreased by 5% in the last two years

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Norway's police clearance rate for violent crimes is approximately 80%

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Norway saw a 10% increase in hate crimes reported in 2022, mainly related to ethnicity and religion

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The rate of false reporting in Norway is estimated at 4%, primarily involving prank calls or false alarms

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Norway's prison population has slightly decreased over the last five years, reflecting recent crime trend changes

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35% of all crimes reported in Norway in 2022 were related to alcohol or drugs

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The majority of criminal cases in Norway involve property crimes, making up about 60% of cases

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15% of crimes reported in Norway involve digital fraud

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The majority of drug offenses in Norway involve cannabis, accounting for about 70% of drug-related crimes

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Theft involving bicycles accounts for 25% of property crimes in Norway, often linked to urban theft rings

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Norway reports an annual average of 2 homicides per year involving firearms, most connected to organized crime

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Domestic violence cases in Norway make up approximately 40% of all reported violent crimes, with an upward trend in recent years

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Violent crime rates in Norway are highest in urban areas like Oslo and Bergen, with rates double the national average

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Norway's domestic burglary rates account for about 20% of total property crimes

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Norway recorded over 10,000 reported cases of sexual offenses in 2022

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Norway's gang-related criminal activity accounts for about 10% of all violent crimes

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Norway’s 2022 police recorded nearly 4,500 cases of arson

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Norway's critical infrastructure has seen a 40% rise in cyber threats from 2020 to 2022, according to national security reports

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The average duration of prison sentences in Norway is around 8 months

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The number of prisons in Norway is 43, with a total capacity of approximately 3,300 inmates

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Norway’s police force has a ratio of 2.5 officers per 1,000 inhabitants, one of the highest in Europe

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The average sentence length for manslaughter in Norway is approximately 12 years, though many offenders serve less

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The average cost of a criminal case in Norway is roughly 400,000 NOK, including police, courts, and prison costs

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The use of surveillance cameras in Norwegian cities increased by 15% between 2020 and 2022

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Norway’s police spending on crime prevention programs increased by 12% over the past three years, reaching approximately 1.2 billion NOK annually

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The age group most involved in crimes in Norway is 15-24 years old, representing about 45% of juvenile offenders

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Norway's 2022 crime victims' survey indicates that 70% of victims did not report the crime to the police

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Norway’s unemployment rate is 4.2%, which correlates with lower crime rates relative to other European countries

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The likelihood of being a crime victim in Norway is 1 in 20 annually, based on survey data

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Norway’s public perceptions indicate that about 80% of citizens trust the effectiveness of their police force, despite rising certain crime types

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The average age of offenders in Norway is 31 years old, with a significant portion being first-time offenders

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Key Highlights

Norway's homicide rate was approximately 0.5 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2022
Norway's rate of thefts recorded in 2022 was approximately 950 incidents per 100,000 people
The number of violent crimes in Norway decreased by 12% from 2018 to 2022
Juvenile crime rates in Norway have declined by 8% over the past five years
35% of all crimes reported in Norway in 2022 were related to alcohol or drugs
Norway's domestic burglary rates account for about 20% of total property crimes
Cybercrime reports in Norway increased by 23% from 2020 to 2022
Norway's prison incarceration rate is approximately 57 per 100,000 inhabitants
The average duration of prison sentences in Norway is around 8 months
Norway recorded over 10,000 reported cases of sexual offenses in 2022
The rate of drug-related crimes in Norway has decreased by 5% in the last two years
Norway's firearm-related crimes constitute less than 2% of total criminal cases
The majority of criminal cases in Norway involve property crimes, making up about 60% of cases

Norway, often praised for its high quality of life and low crime rates, nonetheless faces emerging challenges such as a 23% rise in cybercrime, increasing reports of sexual offenses, and urban violent crimes—painting a complex picture of safety in the Scandinavian nation.

Crime statistics and trends

The number of violent crimes in Norway decreased by 12% from 2018 to 2022
Juvenile crime rates in Norway have declined by 8% over the past five years
Cybercrime reports in Norway increased by 23% from 2020 to 2022
Norway's firearm-related crimes constitute less than 2% of total criminal cases
The recidivism rate in Norway is approximately 40% within three years post-release
The majority of property crimes in Norway are committed by repeat offenders, accounting for 60% of such cases
The number of antisocial behavior reports in Norway increased by 5% from 2019 to 2022
Norway's crime reporting rate is approximately 65% of actual crimes, indicating underreporting
Cybersecurity incidents in Norwegian businesses increased by 28% from 2020 to 2022
The number of juvenile preventive interventions in Norway has decreased by 15% over five years, indicating changing youth crime dynamics
The rate of organized crime activity in Norway accounts for about 2.5% of total crime reports, with a focus on drug trafficking and money laundering
The number of reported cyber harassment cases in Norway increased by 35% between 2020 and 2022
The incidences of vandalism in Norway decreased by 10% from 2019 to 2022, according to police records
Norway's data shows that 38% of criminal cases involve alcohol consumption at the time of the offense
65% of crimes in Norway are committed by men, with women mainly involved in shoplifting and minor thefts
The number of sexual assault cases reported in Norway increased by 10% from 2020 to 2022, mainly in urban areas
Norway’s enforcement agencies have increased patrol hours in high-crime areas by 18% in the last two years
The national crime victimization rate in Norway is approximately 8%, based on survey data, indicating the proportion of population experiencing crime annually

Crime statistics and trends Interpretation

While violent and property crimes in Norway are on the decline, surging cybercrime rates and underreported offenses highlight a tech-savvy yet overlooked shadow of crime lurking behind the tranquility.

Crime statistics and trends (eg, rates, decreases, increases, clearance rates)

Norway's homicide rate was approximately 0.5 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2022
Norway's rate of thefts recorded in 2022 was approximately 950 incidents per 100,000 people
Norway's prison incarceration rate is approximately 57 per 100,000 inhabitants
The rate of drug-related crimes in Norway has decreased by 5% in the last two years
Norway's police clearance rate for violent crimes is approximately 80%
Norway saw a 10% increase in hate crimes reported in 2022, mainly related to ethnicity and religion
The rate of false reporting in Norway is estimated at 4%, primarily involving prank calls or false alarms
Norway's prison population has slightly decreased over the last five years, reflecting recent crime trend changes

Crime statistics and trends (eg, rates, decreases, increases, clearance rates) Interpretation

Norway’s crime landscape in 2022 paints a picture of low murder and incarceration rates, declining drug offenses, but a concerning uptick in hate crimes, suggesting a nation that remains largely safe yet vigilant against evolving social tensions.

Crime types and categories

35% of all crimes reported in Norway in 2022 were related to alcohol or drugs
The majority of criminal cases in Norway involve property crimes, making up about 60% of cases
15% of crimes reported in Norway involve digital fraud
The majority of drug offenses in Norway involve cannabis, accounting for about 70% of drug-related crimes
Theft involving bicycles accounts for 25% of property crimes in Norway, often linked to urban theft rings
Norway reports an annual average of 2 homicides per year involving firearms, most connected to organized crime
Domestic violence cases in Norway make up approximately 40% of all reported violent crimes, with an upward trend in recent years

Crime types and categories Interpretation

Norway’s crime landscape reveals a nation grappling with substance-related issues, urban thefts, and domestic strife, reminding us that even in the land of fjords and fairness, the shadows of property crimes, digital fraud, and violence cast a cautious glare on its otherwise pristine reputation.

Crime types and categories (eg, violent)

Violent crime rates in Norway are highest in urban areas like Oslo and Bergen, with rates double the national average

Crime types and categories (eg, violent) Interpretation

While Norway is renowned for its safety, its urban centers like Oslo and Bergen reveal a darker side where violent crime rates double the national average, reminding us that even among the fjords and fjells, humanity’s shadows persist.

Crime types and categories (eg, violent, property, cybercrime, organized crime, juvenile and demographic trends)

Norway's domestic burglary rates account for about 20% of total property crimes
Norway recorded over 10,000 reported cases of sexual offenses in 2022
Norway's gang-related criminal activity accounts for about 10% of all violent crimes
Norway’s 2022 police recorded nearly 4,500 cases of arson
Norway's critical infrastructure has seen a 40% rise in cyber threats from 2020 to 2022, according to national security reports

Crime types and categories (eg, violent, property, cybercrime, organized crime, juvenile and demographic trends) Interpretation

Norway's crime landscape, marked by rising cyber threats, persistent property crimes, and concerning sexual and violent offenses, underscores the nation's need to strengthen its safety nets amidst evolving and often unpredictable risks.

Legal system and enforcement

The average duration of prison sentences in Norway is around 8 months
The number of prisons in Norway is 43, with a total capacity of approximately 3,300 inmates
Norway’s police force has a ratio of 2.5 officers per 1,000 inhabitants, one of the highest in Europe
The average sentence length for manslaughter in Norway is approximately 12 years, though many offenders serve less

Legal system and enforcement Interpretation

Norway’s criminal justice system, with its relatively short average prison sentences and high police presence, exemplifies a paradox of leniency and vigilance—where the pursuit of fairness balances the imperative of public safety, though the fact that many serve less than their sentences suggests a nuanced approach to justice.

Legal system and enforcement (eg, incarceration, sentences, police activity, costs)

The average cost of a criminal case in Norway is roughly 400,000 NOK, including police, courts, and prison costs

Legal system and enforcement (eg, incarceration, sentences, police activity, costs) Interpretation

With each criminal case costing Norway approximately 400,000 NOK, the nation is paying a hefty price, reminding us that crime not only impacts safety but also our collective wallet.

Preventive measures and infrastructure

The use of surveillance cameras in Norwegian cities increased by 15% between 2020 and 2022
Norway’s police spending on crime prevention programs increased by 12% over the past three years, reaching approximately 1.2 billion NOK annually

Preventive measures and infrastructure Interpretation

With surveillance cameras up 15% and police spending rising 12%, Norway is clearly stepping up its game to catch crime before it catches up with its reputation for safety.

Societal and demographic insights

The age group most involved in crimes in Norway is 15-24 years old, representing about 45% of juvenile offenders
Norway's 2022 crime victims' survey indicates that 70% of victims did not report the crime to the police
Norway’s unemployment rate is 4.2%, which correlates with lower crime rates relative to other European countries
The likelihood of being a crime victim in Norway is 1 in 20 annually, based on survey data
Norway’s public perceptions indicate that about 80% of citizens trust the effectiveness of their police force, despite rising certain crime types
The average age of offenders in Norway is 31 years old, with a significant portion being first-time offenders

Societal and demographic insights Interpretation

While Norway’s youthful offenders dominate the crime scene and most victims remain silent, citizens’ trust in the police persists amidst a relatively low unemployment rate and a generally orderly society, revealing a nuanced picture of crime dynamics in the land of fjords.