German Crime Figures: Are Migrants Unfairly Targeted?

Recent data raises questions about whether immigrant communities in Germany face disproportionate scrutiny in crime statistics. While figures indicate higher crime rates among non-citizens, the interpretation of these numbers is nuanced. Susann Prätor, a sociologist, psychologist, and legal scholar at Lower Saxony’s police academy, offers insights into the complexities behind the statistics ahead of the 2025 crime report from the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA).

Prätor highlights that more than a third of suspects are not German citizens. Despite making up 16% of Germany’s population, non-citizens accounted for roughly 34% of those involved in theft, burglary, and violent crimes. However, she warns that comparing crime statistics directly can be misleading, akin to comparing apples and oranges. Key variables like age and gender, which influence criminal behavior across ethnic groups, must be considered.

Age and gender are central to understanding these trends. The proportion of young male suspects has consistently been higher than other demographics, regardless of background. Prätor notes that non-Germans, on average, are younger than citizens, which aligns with the global pattern where young men are more frequently linked to criminal activity.

“Non-Germans are, on average, significantly younger than Germans,” says Prätor. “Young men are a demographic group that frequently stand out for their involvement in criminal activity, not only in Germany but worldwide.”

Moreover, studies reveal that individuals perceived as foreign are more likely to be reported to authorities. A 2024 Lower Saxony Criminological Institute report found non-Germans were reported nearly three times as often as Germans. To better contextualize these findings, Prätor advocates for research on unreported crimes, which surveys randomly selected individuals about their experiences. This method uncovers hidden patterns, allowing for deeper analysis of factors influencing criminal behavior.

Examining the demographics of suspects further complicates the issue. In 2024, just under 13% of suspects were from Ukraine, compared to 35.7% of Ukrainian refugees in Germany. This discrepancy stems from the fact that most Ukrainian refugees are women and children. Conversely, North African and Georgian nationals represent a smaller share of refugees but make up a larger portion of suspects. Syrians, the second-largest refugee group, accounted for 115,000 suspects, while nearly 900,000 Syrians reside in Germany.

“Studies show that people perceived as foreign are more likely to be reported to police,” Prätor adds.

Prätor emphasizes that demographic differences are critical. For instance, 63% of Ukrainian adult refugees are women, whereas 74% to 82% of asylum seekers from North Africa are men. Since men constitute a larger share of total crime globally, this explains the disparity in suspect numbers. A closer look at these factors reveals the intricate relationship between migration, social conditions, and criminal activity.

To view this video, please enable JavaScript and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video. The analysis underscores the importance of considering context when evaluating crime rates among migrants. Without accounting for variables like age, gender, and socio-economic conditions, statistics may perpetuate stereotypes rather than reflect reality.