Lithuania’s crime rate drops by over 50% in two decades, ministry reports

Crime in Lithuania has fallen by more than half over the past 20 years, with the country now ranking among the safest in the European Union, according to a public safety analysis by the Ministry of the Interior.

Between 2005 and 2025, recorded criminal offences declined by 52%, homicides by 81%, robberies by 95%, and thefts by 78%, marking some of the most significant positive shifts since Lithuania restored independence, the ministry stated.

However, traditional crimes are increasingly being replaced by less visible, technology-driven threats. Over the same period, fraud cases rose by 25%, while cybercrime and drug-related offences also saw notable increases.

“Lithuania has become significantly safer, but security challenges are growing more complex and fragmented,” said Interior Minister Vladislav Kondratovič. “Criminal activity is shifting into the digital space, becoming more organised and requiring different prevention and investigation methods.”

The ministry identified violent crime as the most persistent public safety issue. Although numbers are declining, the structure remains stable, with over half of homicides linked to alcohol use. The typical offender is described as a socially vulnerable middle-aged man.

Public perception of safety has improved dramatically, rising from 54% to 89% over two decades. Trust in police is also among the fastest-growing in the EU, with Lithuania now ranking 9th in this category. Yet only around 44% of crime victims report incidents to law enforcement, suggesting some offences go unrecorded.

Eglė Vileikienė, a sociologist at the ministry, noted that despite progress, Lithuania still lags behind other EU states in areas such as homicide rates and fatalities from traffic accidents and fires.