The truth behind crime statistics in Germany: Are immigrants really the cause?
Crime data in Germany has sparked a debate about the involvement of migrants, but experts warn that the figures may be misleading and do not show the full picture.
Before the 2025 report from the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA), expert Susan Bratour pointed out that non-Germans make up 16% of the population but about 34% of the suspects. She emphasized that such comparisons overlook key differences such as age and gender.
Young people are likely to commit crimes around the world, and usually, non-Germans in Germany are younger. This demographic imbalance significantly affects crime statistics and can create a distorted impression.
Research also shows that people perceived as foreigners are reported to the police more frequently. A study conducted in 2024 by the Criminal Institute in Lower Saxony found that non-Germans were reported almost three times more than Germans.
Nationality data highlights the complexity. Ukrainian refugees, most of whom are women and children, appear less often as suspects, while groups with a higher proportion of young males show higher rates. Experts conclude that demographics and reporting patterns play a key role in shaping the statistics.