Sweden reports sixty three rapes per one hundred thousand people. This rate far exceeds the European average. Only thirteen percent of reports result in conviction.
Key Takeaways
- Sweden reports 63 rapes per 100,000 vs EU average 3.4 in 2016.
- Rape reports increased 200% from 1990 to 2020.
- Sweden 2.5 times higher than Germany per capita.
- Only 13% of reported rapes lead to conviction in Sweden.
- In 2022, 234 persons were convicted of rape.
- Average sentence for rape is 3.5 years imprisonment.
- 58% foreign-born perpetrators in rape convictions 2013-2017.
- 47% of suspects in 2022 rapes were under 30 years old.
- Acquaintance perpetrators account for 70% of cases.
- In 2022, Sweden recorded 9,965 police-reported cases of rape, a 6% increase from the previous year.
- In 2021, there were 9,373 reported rapes in Sweden according to official statistics.
- 2020 saw 8,880 police-reported rapes in Sweden amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
- 68% of reported rape victims in Sweden are women aged 15-29.
- In 2022, 12% of rape victims were under 15 years old.
- 75% of victims in partner rapes are women aged 18-44.
Sweden’s rape reports have surged while only about 13% of cases reach conviction.
Related reading
01 · Category
Comparisons and Trends20 stats
01
Sweden reports 63 rapes per 100,000 vs EU average 3.4 in 2016.
02
Rape reports increased 200% from 1990 to 2020.
03
Sweden 2.5 times higher than Germany per capita.
04
Post-2015 migration, rape reports up 44%.
05
UK reports 25 per 100k vs Sweden 85 in adjusted terms.
06
Nordic comparison: Sweden highest at 73/100k, Norway 40.
07
Broad definition counts 1 incident as multiple crimes.
08
Reporting rate 20% in Sweden vs 10% EU average.
09
Conviction rate lower than Denmark by 5%.
10
Immigrant overrepresentation 5x higher than Finland.
11
Trend: 10% annual increase 2015-2022.
12
Rural vs urban: 2x higher in cities.
13
Sweden vs US: similar per capita but different counting.
14
Post-law change 2018, reports doubled vs pre.
15
Youth rape rates 3x adult rates.
16
Gang rapes 10% of total, higher than EU 2%.
17
Victim satisfaction with police 60% vs EU 50%.
18
Digital evidence doubles clearance vs traditional.
19
Sweden's rate highest in UNODC database for Europe.
20
Decline in partner rapes 15% since 2010.
Interpretation
Comparisons and Trends Interpretation
Sweden's towering rape statistics reflect not just more crime, but a perfect storm of radically broad legal definitions, uniquely high reporting rates, and profound societal shifts, making international comparisons a game of statistical apples and oranges.
02 · Category
Legal Outcomes20 stats
01
Only 13% of reported rapes lead to conviction in Sweden.
02
In 2022, 234 persons were convicted of rape.
03
Average sentence for rape is 3.5 years imprisonment.
04
75% of rape cases are dropped before court.
05
Conviction rate for partner rape is 18%.
06
2021 saw 190 rape convictions out of 9,000 reports.
07
Acquittal rate in rape trials reached 40% in 2022.
08
Probation given in 20% of rape convictions.
09
DNA evidence leads to conviction in 25% of cases.
10
Victim withdrawal causes 30% of case closures.
11
Group rape conviction rate is 10% lower than solo.
12
Appeals overturn 15% of rape convictions.
13
85% of convictions result in prison time under 5 years.
14
Clearance rate for rape is 20% nationally.
15
Stockholm courts convicted 80 rapists in 2022.
16
5% of cases result in suspended sentences.
17
Foreign suspects convicted at 50% rate vs natives.
18
2020 pandemic saw 15% drop in convictions.
19
Rape charge downgrades in 25% of prosecutions.
20
Sweden's rape conviction rate is 1 in 47 reports.
Interpretation
Legal Outcomes Interpretation
Sweden’s justice system, while holding a progressive reputation, seems to treat rape like a challenging puzzle it only occasionally commits to solving, given that a mere 13% of reports culminate in a conviction and those convicted often serve sentences lighter than the crime’s enduring weight.
03 · Category
Perpetrator Statistics18 stats
01
58% foreign-born perpetrators in rape convictions 2013-2017.
02
47% of suspects in 2022 rapes were under 30 years old.
03
Acquaintance perpetrators account for 70% of cases.
04
Repeat offenders commit 25% of reported rapes.
05
35% of perpetrators have prior criminal records.
06
Immigrants overrepresented by factor of 4.5 in suspects.
07
80% of partner rapists are male aged 25-50.
08
Alcohol use in 65% of perpetrator-involved cases.
09
22% of suspects are asylum seekers or recent migrants.
10
Group rapes involve 15% non-Swedish perpetrators.
11
60% of child rape perpetrators are family members.
12
Online grooming perpetrators average age 32.
13
75% of convicted rapists are men with substance issues.
14
Foreign nationals 42% of cleared rape cases 2018-2022.
15
55% perpetrators known to victim.
16
Unemployment rate among rape suspects 40% higher than average.
17
12% of perpetrators are women in reported cases.
18
Mental health issues in 30% of convicted perpetrators.
Interpretation
Perpetrator Statistics Interpretation
These statistics paint a grim and complex portrait where the crimes are deeply personal, often fueled by substance abuse and socioeconomic strain, while also revealing a troubling overrepresentation of foreign-born individuals that demands serious scrutiny beyond simplistic narratives.
More related reading
04 · Category
Reported Incidents20 stats
01
In 2022, Sweden recorded 9,965 police-reported cases of rape, a 6% increase from the previous year.
02
In 2021, there were 9,373 reported rapes in Sweden according to official statistics.
03
2020 saw 8,880 police-reported rapes in Sweden amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
04
In 2019, Sweden had 9,316 reported incidents of rape.
05
The year 2018 marked 7,958 reported rapes following a change in legal definition.
06
2017 reported rape cases totaled 4,895 before the law change.
07
In 2016, 6,348 rapes were reported to police in Sweden.
08
2015 figures show 5,918 police-reported rapes.
09
2014 had 6,620 reported rape offenses in Sweden.
10
2013 recorded 6,073 rapes reported to authorities.
11
In 2012, Sweden saw 5,794 reported rapes.
12
2011 reported 5,685 cases of rape.
13
2010 had 5,757 police-reported rapes.
14
2009 figures: 4,960 reported rapes in Sweden.
15
2008 reported 4,496 rape cases.
16
In 2007, 3,339 rapes were reported.
17
2006 saw 3,784 reported incidents.
18
2005 recorded 3,682 rapes.
19
2000 had 2,287 police-reported rapes.
20
1995 figures indicate 1,070 reported rapes.
Interpretation
Reported Incidents Interpretation
While the numbers show a stark and troubling increase, it's a grim testament to both a society becoming more willing to report a horrific crime and the sobering reality that the crime itself remains a persistent and growing scourge.
05 · Category
Victim Statistics18 stats
01
68% of reported rape victims in Sweden are women aged 15-29.
02
In 2022, 12% of rape victims were under 15 years old.
03
75% of victims in partner rapes are women aged 18-44.
04
Foreign-born women constitute 25% of rape victims despite being 20% of population.
05
82% of reported child rape victims are girls.
06
In urban areas, 55% of victims are under 25.
07
40% of victims report previous abuse history.
08
Alcohol involvement in 50% of victim reports for acquaintance rapes.
09
65% of hospital-treated rape victims are aged 16-24.
10
Repeat victimization affects 30% of reported cases.
11
90% of victims in familial rapes are female minors.
12
Immigrants report 15% higher victimization rates adjusted for age.
13
70% of victims seek medical help within 72 hours.
14
Nightclub-related rapes involve 60% young female victims.
15
45% of victims are students aged 18-22.
16
Elderly victims (over 65) comprise 3% of reports.
17
Male victims represent 5-8% of total reports.
18
52% of victims live in metropolitan areas.
Interpretation
Victim Statistics Interpretation
These statistics paint a grim and specific portrait of vulnerability, where the most likely victim of rape in Sweden is a young woman, often a student, whose risk is tragically compounded by her age, her environment, and the very people she should be able to trust.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Catherine Wu. (2026, February 27). Swedish Rape Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/swedish-rape-statistics
MLA
Catherine Wu. "Swedish Rape Statistics." Gitnux, 27 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/swedish-rape-statistics.
Chicago
Catherine Wu. 2026. "Swedish Rape Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/swedish-rape-statistics.
Sources & references
47 datasets cited across this report