Homicides (UN, World) in Hong Kong
Hong Kong: Homicides (UN, World) was 28 homicides in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2023)
28 homicides
Change on year
down 6.7%
World rank
129th
of 179 countries
All-time high
137 homicides
in 1990
All-time low
17 homicides
in 2011
Years of data
34
1990–2023
Homicides in Hong Kong, 1990–2023
Source: UN, World Population Prospects (2024); United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in homicides.
Analysis
Hong Kong recorded 28 homicides for homicides in 2023.
The figure is down 6.7% on the previous year and down 54.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, homicides in Hong Kong peaked at 137 homicides in 1990 and was at its lowest, 17 homicides, in 2011.
Hong Kong ranks 129th of 179 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Homicides (UN, World) in Hong Kong, year by year
| Year | homicides | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 137 homicides | — |
| 1991 | 92 homicides | -32.8% |
| 1992 | 108 homicides | +17.4% |
| 1993 | 86 homicides | -20.4% |
| 1994 | 96 homicides | +11.6% |
| 1995 | 73 homicides | -24.0% |
| 1996 | 77 homicides | +5.5% |
| 1997 | 102 homicides | +32.5% |
| 1998 | 64 homicides | -37.3% |
| 1999 | 63 homicides | -1.6% |
| 2000 | 43 homicides | -31.7% |
| 2001 | 66 homicides | +53.5% |
| 2002 | 69 homicides | +4.5% |
| 2003 | 52 homicides | -24.6% |
| 2004 | 45 homicides | -13.5% |
| 2005 | 34 homicides | -24.4% |
| 2006 | 35 homicides | +2.9% |
| 2007 | 18 homicides | -48.6% |
| 2008 | 36 homicides | +100.0% |
| 2009 | 47 homicides | +30.6% |
| 2010 | 35 homicides | -25.5% |
| 2011 | 17 homicides | -51.4% |
| 2012 | 27 homicides | +58.8% |
| 2013 | 62 homicides | +129.6% |
| 2014 | 27 homicides | -56.5% |
| 2015 | 22 homicides | -18.5% |
| 2016 | 28 homicides | +27.3% |
| 2017 | 24 homicides | -14.3% |
| 2018 | 48 homicides | +100.0% |
| 2019 | 24 homicides | -50.0% |
| 2020 | 22 homicides | -8.3% |
| 2021 | 23 homicides | +4.5% |
| 2022 | 30 homicides | +30.4% |
| 2023 | 28 homicides | -6.7% |
Hong Kong compared with similar countries
- Hong Kong's 28 homicides is below the median for high income countries, which is 52.5 homicides, 53% of the median. (76 countries reporting)
- Hong Kong's 28 homicides is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 75 homicides, 37% of the median. (27 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 89.8 homicides | 63 homicides | 137 homicides | 10 |
| 2000s | 44.5 homicides | 18 homicides | 69 homicides | 10 |
| 2010s | 31.4 homicides | 17 homicides | 62 homicides | 10 |
| 2020s | 25.75 homicides | 22 homicides | 30 homicides | 4 |
Countries ranked near Hong Kong
More social development data for Hong Kong
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 236 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 245 (2025)
- Political Rights Rating 6 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, gaps filled 6 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 245 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of -9.23 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is homicides in Hong Kong?
- Homicides in Hong Kong was 28 homicides in 2023, according to UN, World Population Prospects (2024); United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest homicides recorded in Hong Kong?
- The highest recorded value was 137 homicides in 1990.
- What is the lowest homicides recorded in Hong Kong?
- The lowest recorded value was 17 homicides in 2011.
- How does Hong Kong rank for homicides?
- Hong Kong ranks 129th out of 179 countries with data for 2023.
- Is homicides rising or falling in Hong Kong?
- Over the last ten years it is down 54.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Hong Kong data come from?
- The figures come from UN, World Population Prospects (2024); United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Homicides. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Number of intentional homicides.