The United States has the highest number of documented serial killers globally, leading other countries by a significant margin, with data showing thousands of cases tracked since 1900, though the phenomenon peaked in the late 20th century and has since declined due to factors like improved forensics and changing social conditions.
The database tracks serial killings all the way back to 1900 and includes serial killers from over 115 countries. The U.S. leads the rest of the world in documented serial killers, with a whopping 3,613 serial killers as of 2020 (England is not-so-close second, with known 176 serial killers as of 2020).
Seventy-four percent of the murderers were from the United States, where 85 percent were male, 8 percent were female, and the sex was undetermined in the cases in which the offender was still at large. In addition, 82 percent of American serial killers were white, 15 percent were black, and 2.5 percent were Hispanic.
Countries with the highest homicide rates in 2024: Haiti (47.8), Trinidad and Tobago (45.7), Saint Lucia (42.8), Lesotho (40.9, 2022), Jamaica (40.6), South Africa (40.3), Ecuador (39.1), The Bahamas (29.6), Venezuela (26.2), Honduras (25.9), Colombia (25.3), Mexico (23.3). Data gaps remain for Asia and Africa.
Which country has the fewest serial killers?
Iceland is consistently ranked as the #1 safest country in the world by the Global Peace Index (GPI), a position it has held for over a decade due to extremely low crime, no standing army, high social cohesion, and minimal conflict, though some other reports might place Switzerland or the Netherlands first based on different survey criteria.
Is serial killing in decline? Newland-Davis and Giacalone agree, yes, serial killing is on the decline, and for several reasons. Newland-Davis, who founded the state-registered nonprofit corporation Oklahoma Cold Cases, said certain “behaviors” that were common years ago — i.e. hitchhiking — are far less common today.
The World's Safest Havens: A Look at Countries with the Lowest Homicide Rates When it comes to personal safety, some countries stand out for their remarkably low homicide rates. According to 2024 data, Vatican City and Tuvalu share the top spot, both reporting a homicide rate of 0 per 100,000 people yearly.
The top 10 most dangerous places
1. Memphis. Memphis has one of the highest crime rates in the country at 2,437 per 100,000 people, with assault leading the list. The city has addressed these issues through targeted policing and community engagement initiatives.
White-collar crimes are characterized as planned, non-violent financial crimes like fraud, bribery, money laundering, and misleading marketing. The perpetrators of these crimes are usually corporate or government officials of high rank, and the damage caused can be severe financially, even if there is no violence.
Based on known information, the number of male serial killers is much higher than women serial killers.
Scientists searched and found what is believed to be hard evidence, that genetics is the key role in determining who becomes a serial killer unlike criminologists and psychologists who argue that large events such as abuse and abandonment create the setting and foundation in which serial killers grow into sadistic mass ...
In classifying types of serial murder, the factors discussed are behavioral background, victim profiles, methods used, and location of the murders. Four types of serial murderers are identified: the 'visionary,' the 'mission-oriented,' 'hedonistic,' and 'power/control-oriented.
The United States has by far the largest number of documented serial killers in the world. According to Radford University's Serial Killer Information Center, it has more documented serial killers than the next ten highest countries on the list combined.
Mississippi has the highest homicide rate, while New Hampshire has the lowest. A table showing the age-adjusted homicide death rate and total homicides by state, for 2023.
Iceland is consistently ranked as the #1 safest country in the world by the Global Peace Index (GPI), a position it has held for over a decade due to extremely low crime, no standing army, high social cohesion, and minimal conflict, though some other reports might place Switzerland or the Netherlands first based on different survey criteria.
Crime rate by country 2025: 10 countries with the highest crime...
Iceland, New Zealand, and Ireland again lead with the world's lowest crime rates in 2025. Countries like Denmark, Austria, Switzerland, and Singapore follow closely, powered by strong laws and social trust. Know more below about what makes these nations so safe.
The United States had, by far, the highest homicide rate of the G7 countries between 2000 and 2023. In 2023, it reached 5.76 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants, a decrease from 6.78 in 2021. By comparison, Canada, the G7 nation with the second-highest homicide rate, had 1.98 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants in 2023.
Death rate, per 1000 people, 2022:
The average for 2022 based on 196 countries was 8.24 deaths per 1000 people. The highest value was in the Central African Republic: 55.13 deaths per 1000 people and the lowest value was in Qatar: 0.93 deaths per 1000 people.
True crime has never been more popular, especially among Millennials and Gen Z. We spoke to devoted fans and one of Britain's leading creators, True Crime Caitlyn, to uncover why these dark stories captivate a new generation.
Actually, the Bible doesn't teach that murderers can't be saved in the normal way. Rather, it assures us that even they can receive salvation in Christ if only they repent of their sins and turn to Christ in faith. Some notable biblical examples include King David (2 Sam. 11-12) and the apostle Paul (Acts 8:1; 9:1).