Marking the European Day for Victims of Crime, official figures released today by Portugal’s National Statistics Institute (INE) and the Directorate-General for Justice Policy (DGPJ) show a continued decline in reported crime nationwide, alongside a stabilization in the number of injured parties and victims compared to previous years.

According to the data, in 2024 the Public Security Police (PSP) and the National Republican Guard (GNR) recorded 277,654 injured parties/offended persons/victims in criminal cases across Portugal—down 1.0% from 2023 (2,742 fewer individuals), though still 2.1% above the figure registered in 2000 (271,998). In the same year, police authorities recorded 354,878 crimes, representing a 4.6% decrease compared to 2023 (17,177 fewer offenses) and a 2.3% drop relative to 2000 (363,294).

Azores: Lower Share of Elderly Victims

In the Azores, data available from the DGPJ on victims aged 65 and over place the Autonomous Region of the Azores (RAA) among the territories with the lowest proportion of elderly victims. In 2024, individuals aged 65 and older accounted for 11.70% of all injured parties/offended persons/victims in the region—a figure similar to Lisbon (11.47%) and well below most inland districts such as Bragança (25.18%) and Vila Real (22.99%).

However, when adjusted for the size of the elderly resident population, the Azores registered four injured parties/offended persons/victims per 1,000 residents aged 65 and over. This places the region at a mid-range level nationally—below the highest rates recorded in Castelo Branco, Faro, and Portalegre (six per 1,000), but above the lowest levels, including the Autonomous Region of Madeira (three per 1,000).

Long-Term Shifts in Crime and Victim Profiles

Nationally, the 2024 report highlights structural changes over the past two decades. Between 2000 and 2024, the proportion of women among injured parties/offended persons increased, even as overall crime rates declined.

In 2024, of the total injured parties/offended persons, 146,862 were men (52.9%) and 130,792 were women (47.1%). In 2000, by contrast, men accounted for 64.0% (174,192) and women for 36.0% (97,806).

The crime rate in 2024 stood at 33 offenses per 1,000 inhabitants—down from 35.0‰ in 2023 and significantly below the peak observed in 2008 (40.9‰).

Domestic Violence Remains a Significant Concern

In terms of crime categories, more than half of recorded offenses in 2024 were property-related crimes (52.4%), followed by crimes against persons (25.9%). Within the latter category, domestic violence remained prominent, with 30,221 cases—accounting for 8.5% of all reported crimes.

Among victims of domestic violence, women continued to represent the majority, though their share has gradually declined over time. In 2024, women comprised 70.6% of victims, while men accounted for 29.4%.

Officials emphasize that these indicators reflect crimes recorded by law enforcement authorities—meaning offenses detected or formally reported to police forces. The overall victim figures cited for 2024 are based on PSP and GNR records, while the DGPJ study on victims aged 65 and over also incorporates data from the Criminal Investigation Police (PJ).

In Diário dos Açores — Paulo Viveiros, director.

Translated into English as a community outreach program by the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute (PBBI) and the Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures Department (MCLL), in collaboration with Bruma Publication and ADMA (Azores-Diaspora Media Alliance) at California State University, Fresno. PBBI thanks Luso Financial for sponsoring NOVIDADES.