Germany’s Crime Statistics and the Impact of Underreporting

Germany’s crime rate fell in 2025, marking the first decline since 2022, according to official police crime statistics published in Berlin.

The number of crimes recorded by police nationwide decreased to 5,508,559 in 2025, representing a 5.6 percent reduction compared to the previous year.

While overall crime and violent crime declined, sexual offenses saw a significant increase, rising by 10.3 percent in the category of rape, sexual coercion, and sexual assault in particularly serious cases.

Incidents related to the distribution, acquisition, possession, and production of child pornographic content increased by 19.9 percent during the same period.

Murder, manslaughter, and killing on demand increased by 8.4 percent in 2025, according to the statistics presented by Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt.

The decline in violent crime was 2.3 percent though some serious offenses showed notable increases in specific cases.

Minister Dobrindt credited part of the overall crime drop to the legalization of cannabis but emphasized that further measures are needed to ensure public safety.

He warned against complacency, stating that the decline in violent crime is “a start, but no reason to sound the all-clear,” and stressed the need for continued action to make people feel safe in their daily lives.

The statistics also suggest a potential opportunity to record a long-term decline in crime if current trends continue and preventive measures are strengthened.