January 19, 2018
The general public's impression that murder is on the rise in Slovenia, which many attribute to far-reaching changes in society, is partly corroborated by statistics, notes the STA on January 19, 2018. Early police figures show there were 22 murders last year, which is eight more than the average since 2000.
Since 2000, more people died from murder only in 2015, when 25 cases were reported.
However, together with manslaughter, there were 48 homicides in Slovenia in 2017, which is somewhat below the 18-year average of 52.5 cases.
On the other hand, 2016 stands out with only 26 cases of murder (13) and manslaughter (13), a record low figure for the past 18 years.
The bloodiest year in terms of murder and manslaughter was 2002, when 78 people were killed.
Podravje in the north-east seems to stand out among Slovenian regions.
Last year, Maribor police dealt with five murders, or almost a quarter of all murder cases in Slovenia, two cases of manslaughter and three attempted murders, which makes 2017 one of the bloodiest years in the last decade in the area covered by the Maribor Police Department.
The murders were committed mostly among family members, prompted by jealousy or mental issues, while there were also some cases involving homeless people.
In the much larger and more populous area covered by the Ljubljana Police Department, there were only three murders and three cases of manslaughter in 2017.
Nevertheless, Maribor police say the security situation in Podravje has not significantly worsened, adding last year's figures were comparable to a multi-year average.
Statistics for 2009-2017 show that the largest number of murders in the region, 7, was committed in 2009.
Meanwhile, 2011 stands out as the year when not a single murder or manslaughter was committed in Podravje.
Homicide statistics for the entire country:
Year Murder Manslaughter Total
-------------------------------------------
2017* 22 26 48
2016 13 13 26
2015 25 21 46
2014 15 18 33
2013 15 25 40
2012 19 25 44
2011 18 32 50
2010 15 26 41
2009 16 35 51
2008 5 25 30
2007 8 39 47
2006 7 69 76
2005 8 58 66
2004 13 63 76
2003 11 46 57
2002 13 65 78
2001 12 49 61
2000 18 57 75
* Data for 2017 are not final
Source: General Police Department
