The concern over becoming a victim of crime is not distributed evenly across Germany, according to an analysis conducted by the Ifo branch in Dresden. The study found that people in Northern Germany feel the least apprehension, while those in parts of Eastern Germany and Berlin are the most anxious.
However, the research noted that the fear of crime is only weakly correlated with actual crime rates. For instance, in Schleswig-Holstein, the fear is notably low, even though the crime statistics in Saxony-Anhalt are surprisingly high, despite both regions reporting roughly comparable figures of 8,000 offenses per 100,000 inhabitants.
The assessment measured two types of criminal fear: how individuals assess their personal risk of becoming a victim of a crime within the next twelve months, and how much their behavior changes due to this fear. The types of crimes considered include home invasions, theft, assault, sexual violence, hate crime, and digital identity theft.
Areas reporting the highest levels of fear include Saxony-Anhalt, large parts of Saxony (specifically around Leipzig and Chemnitz), and Berlin. Conversely, the lowest anxiety is found in Schleswig-Holstein, significant parts of Lower Saxony (such as the regions of Braunschweig, Weser-Ems, and Lüneburg), and the Kassel administrative district in Hesse.
Regarding behavioral changes driven by fear, the study found that individuals in the areas around Hanover (Lower Saxony) and Leipzig (Saxony) adapt their behavior most significantly. In contrast, people in Upper Bavaria and Upper Franconia (Bavaria) employ the fewest precautionary measures.
Demographically, people with lower levels of education tend to report higher average levels of criminal fear compared to those with advanced degrees. Interestingly, fear tends to decrease with increasing age. No differences in fear of crime were observed based on income level.
Gender shows a similar prevalence of fear among men and women overall, though key differences are found in specific crimes. Women expressed greater fear regarding sexual offenses. Furthermore, women exhibit significantly more preventive and avoidance behavior. They are more likely to avoid streets, squares, parks, and public transport in the evenings, and they tend to stay indoors during darkness unless absolutely necessary.
