Homicide Rate in Switzerland: 1800 to Today (and Tomorrow)

To track the intentional homicide rate is to map the fading frequency of the most profound rupture in the social fabric. These figures are not dry statistics but a chronicle of human security and the background hum of daily life. They represent the distance between a world of volatility and one of quiet stability, where the likelihood of a life being violently ended has steadily receded. Behind every decimal point lies the evolving nature of the communities where people live, grow, and depart.

The historical arc reveals a remarkably consistent decline in interpersonal violence. In the 1800s estimate 4.78, the environment was significantly different than in 1900, when it was 1.8. This cooling trend persisted through the 1950s at 0.97 and into the modern age. Whether looking back to the 1840s estimate 3.59 or ahead to the 2050s projection 0.43, the data provides a window into the gradual refinement of human existence across three centuries.

For someone born today, the reality is one of unprecedented safety. In the 2020s, homicide rate in Switzerland stands at 0.5 per 100,000 — ranking #8 of 157 countries. This stability is projected to deepen, moving toward the 2100s projection 0.33. In a global context, this trajectory represents a profound shift in the baseline of security, ensuring that the most extreme form of social breakdown remains an increasingly rare event.

Explore the interactive tools below to calculate how your own life aligns with these long-term trends.