How safe is Germany?
How does the rule of law ensure security in Germany? And how many crimes are committed in Germany? Read here for answers to the most important questions.
How safe is Germany compared to other countries?
Germany is one of the safest countries in the world. In the Global Peace Index, which rates 163 countries using a range of indicators, Germany regularly appears among the best-ranked nations. In 2025, Germany placed 20th in the tightly clustered leading group.
How does Germany ensure legal certainty?
Germany has a reliable legal framework with a multi-layered, constitution-based system built on clear responsibilities and verifiable procedures. Laws are adopted through transparent parliamentary processes. The police and independent courts ensure that these laws are upheld. By international standards, Germany’s system is regarded as one of the most stable and institutionally robust models of the rule of law. It combines the principles of constitutional democracy with democratic oversight and individual legal protection.
How is the German police organised?
Germany’s police forces are organised on a federal basis, divided between the national government and the 16 federal states. State police forces handle day-to-day public safety and criminal investigations, while federal agencies take on higher-level and cross-border responsibilities. For example, the Federal Police is responsible for border protection, while the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) deals with terrorism, cybercrime and organised crime.
How many criminal offences are committed in Germany?
A total of around 5.8 million criminal offences were recorded in 2024. The clearance rate was 58 percent.
How many homicides occur in Germany?
In 2024, there were 2,303 homicide offences (murder, manslaughter and killing on request). With a population of 83.6 million, this is a rate of 2.7 per 100,000 inhabitants. In 2024, 222 murders were recorded by the police, i.e. 0.9 per 100,000 inhabitants. Germany’s murder rate is therefore very low by international comparison. Globally, it is estimated to average around six murders per 100,000 inhabitants. The clearance rate for murder in Germany was around 93 percent in 2024.
How does Germany protect its external security?
External security for Germany and its allies is provided above all by the Bundeswehr, the German armed forces. A key foundation for this is Germany’s membership in NATO. In addition, the Federal Government engages multilaterally – for example in the European Union, the United Nations and the OSCE – in order to boost international stability, crisis prevention and collective security structures.
