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Crime rates in Belgium


While thinking about moving to another country, the subject of safety should be brought up as soon as possible. No one would like to live in a dangerous area, so let’s take a look at the safety of Belgium.

Is Belgium a safe country?

There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on many factors, including your personal definition of “safe.” However, Belgium generally has a reputation as a safe country, with low levels of crime and a relatively stable political situation. Additionally, Belgium has a well-developed infrastructure and a high standard of living, which can contribute to a feeling of safety. 

Public safety in Belgium

The Belgian criminal justice system is based on the inquisitorial system. This means that the police, the prosecutor and the judge work together to investigate crimes and bring suspects to justice.

The police are responsible for investigating crimes and collecting evidence. The prosecutor decides whether to bring charges against a suspect and represents the state in court. The judge presides over the trial and decides whether the suspect is guilty or not guilty.

The Belgian criminal justice system is fair and efficient. Suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty. They have the right to a fair trial and the right to appeal their conviction. The Belgian criminal justice system is not perfect. But it is fair and it is effective. 

Exact crime rates

When it comes to specific types of crime, Belgium again has relatively low rates. For example, the country had a homicide rate of 0.9 per 100,000 people in 2016. This is lower than the homicide rates in many other developed countries, such as the United States (4.9 per 100,000 people) and Canada (1.68 per 100,000 people).

Belgium also has low rates of property crime. In 2016, the country had a reported rate of just 24.3 burglaries per 100,000 people. This is significantly lower than the average burglary rate in the European Union, which was 85.6 per 100,000 people in 2016.

Conclusion

Whatever the reasons for the low crime rates in Belgium, it is clear that the country is a safe place to live. If you are planning removal to Belgium, you can rest assured that you are unlikely to be the victim of a crime.