How does crime in the United States compare with crime in a selection of other industrialized countries - England and Wales, the Netherlands, Belgium, Finland, Canada and Australia?

• Among these countries, the United States had the slowest increase in the overall rate of crimes reported to police between 1987 and 1992, 7 percent, while England and Wales, for example, experienced a 44 percent increase.

• Surveys of victims - which include crimes not reported to the police - found the overall crime rate in the U.S. fell 13 percent between 1988 and 1991 while rising in other countries, with England and Wales having the greatest increase, 56 percent.

• Crime victimization was higher in the U.S. than in any of these nations in 1988, but by 1991 was the third lowest.

Changes in the makeup of populations and increased employment or unemployment may partially explain changes in crime rates. However, research shows criminals are deterred by both the certainty and severity of punishment, which varies widely between countries.

Source: David J. Pyle, "Cutting the Costs of Crime," November 1995, Hobart Paper 129, Institute of Economic Affairs, 2 Lord North Street, Westminster, London SW1P 3LB, (0171) 799-3745.

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