OTTAWA — Violent crime rates in Canada remain lower than in the United States, but the gap between the two countries is shrinking, according to new data released by Statistics Canada.
In 2023, there were 252 police-reported violent incidents per 100,000 people in Canada, compared with 334 in the United States, a 33 per cent difference. In 2009, the U.S. rate was 77 per cent higher. The findings come from two new studies comparing trends and regional variations in police-reported crime on both sides of the border.
Statistics Canada says the narrowing gap is largely due to rising rates of major assault in Canada, while U.S. violent crime has declined. Homicide remains more common in the United States, with 5.7 per 100,000 people, three times Canada’s rate of 1.9. Most of the difference stems from firearm-related killings.
The studies also found striking similarities in the demographics of homicide victims and accused persons in both countries, with young men overrepresented. In most cases, victims knew their accused, 81 per cent in both Canada and the United States.
While violent crime has increased in Canada, property crime has fallen in both countries over the last 25 years. In 2023, Canada recorded a slightly higher rate of property crime, 1,995 incidents per 100,000 people compared with 1,906 in the United States, reversing a trend seen since the mid-2000s.
Break-ins, thefts and motor vehicle thefts continue to decline overall, with homes targeted in roughly half of all break and enters in both countries.
Statistics Canada’s findings are based on data from the Uniform Crime Reporting programs and supplementary homicide statistics from police services in both nations.
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