Switzerland: Residential Burglary Cases Increase by 11.2% in 2024

Residential Burglary Trends in Switzerland

Official data from Eurostat indicates that residential burglaries in Switzerland rose to 46,070 recorded cases in 2024, representing an 11.2% increase compared to the 41,429 cases recorded in 2023. This upward movement continues a trend of rising figures observed over the past three years.

A decade in context

The 2024 figure of 46,070 cases remains significantly below the peak of 73,714 recorded in 2012, which represents the highest volume of residential burglaries in the 2008–2024 period. Conversely, the latest figure is higher than the period's trough of 31,186 cases, recorded in 2021. The annual average for the 17-year period stands at 50,461 cases.

When examining mid-term trends, the 2024 data shows a 26.5% increase compared to the 36,419 cases recorded five years earlier in 2019. However, when compared to the 63,706 cases recorded ten years earlier in 2014, the current figure reflects a 27.7% decline.

Rate per 100,000

The intensity of residential burglary varies significantly when normalized by population size. In 2024, the highest rate was observed in Bâle-Ville, which recorded 751.8 burglaries per 100,000 inhabitants. Other regions with high population-adjusted rates include Vaud at 635.4 per 100,000 and Soleure at 557.6 per 100,000. Genève reported a rate of 497.5 per 100,000, while Bâle-Campagne recorded 466.3 per 100,000.

Where the cases are

In terms of absolute volume, the cantons of Zürich and Vaud recorded the highest number of residential burglaries in 2024. Zürich reported 5,957 cases (367.7 per 100,000), followed by Vaud with 5,433 cases. Bern recorded 3,693 cases (344.7 per 100,000), while Genève accounted for 2,642 cases. Argovie and Soleure followed with 1,859 and 1,616 cases respectively.

Other regions with notable case volumes include:

• Lucerne: 1,524 cases (348.0 per 100,000)
• Bâle-Ville: 1,514 cases (751.8 per 100,000)
• Bâle-Campagne: 1,405 cases (466.3 per 100,000)
• Saint-Gall: 1,245 cases (230.5 per 100,000)
• Tessin: 1,070 cases (298.1 per 100,000)
• Fribourg: 963 cases (277.8 per 100,000)
• Valais: 867 cases (233.5 per 100,000)
• Thurgovie: 706 cases (235.7 per 100,000)

About these figures

This report is based on official data provided by Eurostat. The figures represent residential burglaries as officially recorded cases by law enforcement agencies. These statistics reflect the total volume of reported incidents and are subject to variations in reporting practices and regional population density. The data covers the period from 2008 to 2024, providing a comprehensive overview of the longitudinal trajectory of this specific offence category in Switzerland.