On Wednesday, Eurostat published figures showing police in European Union member states recorded over 250,000 sexual violence offences in 2024, of which nearly 100,000 (38%) were rapes — 150% more than ten years ago.
Data from the European Union’s statistical office show a steady upward trend over the last ten years, with the average annual increase in the number of sexual assault cases standing at almost 10% and that of rapes at 7%. In 2024, a total of 256,302 sexual assault offences were recorded in the European Union, of which 98,190 (38%) were rape offences
The number of sexual assault cases in European Union countries has almost doubled over the last decade, increasing by 124,350 cases compared to 2014, with the number of rapes rising by 150%, representing around 59,000 additional offences during this period.
In Spain, 5,222 rapes were recorded in 2024, compared to 1,239 in 2014, an increase of 322%, significantly exceeding the EU average of 150%.
Eurostat notes that “the increased number of police-recorded sexual violence offences may be linked to rising awareness in society, which impacts reporting rates.”
In spite of this, a downward trend can be observed in the number of intentional homicides. In 2024, 3,953 cases were recorded in the European Union, 11% fewer than in 2014, when the figure stood at 4,448, although there was a slight increase of 1% compared to 2023.
Over the course of the decade, this figure fluctuated, peaking in 2015 (4,616 cases) and showing a downward trend until 2021, when the lowest figure for the entire period was recorded – 3,645 cases. Since then, it has risen annually, although the 2024 figure remains 14% below the peak recorded a decade ago.
