• http://dx.doi.org/10.18235/0003353

Cafferata, Fernando G., et al. (2021). Survey Data associated with: What Public Policies Do Citizens Want to Combat Crime in Latin America and the Caribbean?. IDB Open Data. https://doi.org/10.60966/8ca63qbw

1. English

Individual

What is the current crime situation in Latin America?

The dataset shows that perceptions of crime and insecurity vary sharply across the region, with many respondents classifying their city or neighborhood as unsafe (safety_city, safety_neigh). In several countries, more than half of participants reported feeling unsafe in their cities, indicating persistent urban security challenges.

Why are crime rates high in Latin American countries?

Survey variables such as corrupt_prob, badgov_prob, and pov_ineq_prob indicate that citizens believe that corruption, poor governance, and inequality are key drivers of crime. Respondents frequently link high crime levels to institutional weakness and lack of economic opportunities.

What major types of crime are prevalent in Latin America?

The variable victim records whether respondents have been victims of crime, with substantial proportions reporting theft, assault, or exposure to violent crime. The dataset also includes perceived likelihood of murder (prob_murder), showing widespread awareness of violent risks.

How do Latin America's crime rates compare to global averages?

The survey confirms regional disparities aligned with broader international findings: Latin America and the Caribbean account for roughly one-third of the world’s homicides while having about 9% of the global population, reinforcing research on the region’s overrepresentation in lethal violence.
Source: UNODC — Global Study on Homicide 2023 and World Bank (2024) regional overview.

What safety concerns are there for travelers regarding crime in Latin America?

Safety_city and safety_neigh data show that urban residents themselves express substantial fear of crime, especially in major capitals. This suggests that travelers should stay informed about local security conditions and avoid high-risk areas during certain hours.

What is the root causes of violence and crime in Latin America?

Variables on poverty and inequality (pov_ineq_prob), corruption (corrupt_prob), and government performance (badgov_prob) collectively indicate that citizens view structural inequality, corruption, and weak governance as significant causes of violence.

What are the strategies for crime reduction in Latin American cities?

Policy-preference variables (pol_finance, pol_qe, pol_concent) show public support for: - More funding for police and security institutions - Improving police quality and training - Concentrating police in high-crime neighborhoods

What are the socio-economic effects of crime in Latin America?

Cross-tabulation of income, employment, and victim variables suggests that lower-income and unemployed respondents report higher victimization rates. This underscores the economic burden of crime and its link to inequality.

How are corruption and crime involved in Latin American governments?

Responses to pol_corrupt and trust_govt reveal strong associations between perceived corruption and distrust of government institutions, often linked to weak law enforcement and persistent crime problems.

What are the government's responses to crime epidemics in Latin America?

Survey questions such as pol_finance and pol_importance indicate that citizens prioritize security spending and institutional reform. Many respondents favor greater police funding and reforms that improve accountability and training, rather than merely increasing the number of officers.