Switzerland: Residential Burglaries Surge 47.7% Over Three-Year Period

Official data from Switzerland indicates a sustained and significant increase in residential burglaries over a three-year period. Between 2021 and 2024, the number of recorded cases rose from 31,186 to 46,070. This represents a cumulative increase of 47.7% in the total volume of residential burglaries reported across the country.

3 straight years of increase

The upward trajectory in residential burglaries has been consistent for three consecutive years. In 2021, the baseline figure stood at 31,186 recorded cases. By 2022, the number of incidents climbed to 35,732. The momentum continued into 2023, with the total reaching 41,429 cases. The most recent data for 2024 shows a further increase to 46,070 recorded residential burglaries, marking the highest volume of incidents observed during this three-year span.

Rate per 100,000

When normalized by population, the incidence of residential burglary varies significantly across the 26 administrative areas of Switzerland. The national data for 2024 highlights that Bâle-Ville recorded the highest rate in the country, with 751.8 burglaries per 100,000 inhabitants. Other areas also show high rates of occurrence relative to their population size, including Vaud at 635.4 per 100,000, Soleure at 557.6 per 100,000, and Genève at 497.5 per 100,000.

Where it hits hardest

In terms of absolute case volume, the impact is concentrated in the most populous regions. In 2024, the area of Zürich recorded the highest number of residential burglaries with 5,957 cases, followed by Vaud with 5,433 cases and Bern with 3,693 cases. Other regions with substantial case counts include Genève (2,642), Argovie (1,859), Soleure (1,616), Lucerne (1,524), Bâle-Ville (1,514), Bâle-Campagne (1,405), Saint-Gall (1,245), Tessin (1,070), Fribourg (963), Valais (867), and Thurgovie (706).

The disparity between absolute volume and population-adjusted rates is evident when comparing these figures. While Zürich leads in the total number of incidents, Bâle-Ville remains the area most affected when measured by the rate per 100,000 residents.

About these figures

These statistics are derived from official Eurostat data regarding residential burglaries in Switzerland. The figures represent officially recorded cases reported to law enforcement authorities. The data covers the period from 2021 to 2024 and includes a breakdown of absolute case counts and population-normalized rates per 100,000 inhabitants across the specified regions.