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Number of intentional homicides — all countries

Number of intentional homicides — Northern America

Number of intentional homicides in Northern America in 2023 — 20,578 people. Since 1990, the indicator has fallen by 14.6%.

2023 20,578 people −11.05% vs 2022
World rank —
Period maximum 25,460 people1991
Period minimum 14,693 people2014

Trend over time

1990–2023 · people

Number of intentional homicides — Northern America, 1990–202310,00015,00020,00025,00030,0001990199419982002200620102014201820221990: 24,096 people1991: 25,460 people1992: 24,494 people1993: 25,155 people1994: 23,928 people1996: 20,283 people1997: 18,796 people1998: 17,533 people1999: 16,063 people2000: 16,132 people2001: 19,590 people2002: 16,812 people2006: 17,920 people2007: 17,728 people2008: 17,085 people2009: 16,016 people2010: 15,286 people2011: 15,278 people2012: 15,411 people2013: 14,833 people2014: 14,693 people2015: 16,498 people2016: 18,037 people2017: 17,964 people2018: 17,041 people2019: 17,358 people2020: 22,342 people2021: 23,870 people2022: 23,134 people2023: 20,578 people
Change over the period: −3,518 (−14.6%) Average annual rate: -0.48 %

Comparison, 2023

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: Northern America

Northern America 20,578 people
World 423,171 people
Number of intentional homicides — Northern America, by year Northern America All countries CSV XLSX
Year people Change Change, %
2023 20,578 −2,556 −11.05%
2022 23,134 −736 −3.08%
2021 23,870 +1,528 +6.84%
2020 22,342 +4,984 +28.71%
2019 17,358 +317 +1.86%
2018 17,041 −923 −5.14%
2017 17,964 −73 −0.4%
2016 18,037 +1,539 +9.33%
2015 16,498 +1,805 +12.28%
2014 14,693 −140 −0.94%
2013 14,833 −578 −3.75%
2012 15,411 +133 +0.87%
2011 15,278 −8 −0.05%
2010 15,286 −730 −4.56%
2009 16,016 −1,069 −6.26%
2008 17,085 −643 −3.63%
2007 17,728 −192 −1.07%
2006 17,920 — —
2002 16,812 −2,778 −14.18%
2001 19,590 +3,458 +21.44%
2000 16,132 +69 +0.43%
1999 16,063 −1,470 −8.38%
1998 17,533 −1,263 −6.72%
1997 18,796 −1,487 −7.33%
1996 20,283 — —
1994 23,928 −1,227 −4.88%
1993 25,155 +661 +2.7%
1992 24,494 −966 −3.79%
1991 25,460 +1,364 +5.66%
1990 24,096 — —

About the indicator

The number of victims of intentional homicide during a calendar year. UNODC treats intentional homicide as unlawful death inflicted with the intent to cause it — the definition is standardized across all countries, so the figures are comparable regardless of how the act is classified in national law. The data are collected through the annual survey of countries on crime trends and supplemented with estimates from death registration systems and medical statistics.

Important: The absolute count and the rate per 100,000 answer different questions: large countries stand in the top rows by the number of homicides, and entirely different ones by the rate. Both are worth looking at.

Source: UNODC Crime Statistics, license UN data: free to use with attribution.

Other indicators for Northern America

Crime Intentional homicides

The number of intentional homicides per 100,000 people.

Northern America by year Crime Homicides: male victims

How many men are killed by intentional homicide in a year. In most countries this is four victims out of five.

Northern America by year Crime Homicides: female victims

How many women are killed by intentional homicide in a year — an indicator customarily viewed apart from the total.

Northern America by year
All indicators for Northern America