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How safe is Luxembourg
Luxembourg is a small, landlocked country known for its picturesque towns, lush green valleys, and rich cultural heritage. It is also one of the safest countries in the world, it ranks 15th in the index of personal security in the Global Residence Index and has a reputation for being a peaceful and secure place to live and visit. In this article, we will explore how safe Luxembourg is and what measures are in place to ensure its citizens' and visitors' safety and security.
Global Safety Risk Assessment in Luxembourg
When assessing a country’s safety, it is important to consider various risk factors that could potentially harm individuals or the community as a whole. In this section, we will evaluate the different types of risks that exist in Luxembourg, ranging from political risks to risks related to natural disasters, personal safety, and fraud.
We will classify these risks into four categories: non-significant risks, low-level risks, medium-level risks, and high-level risks, to provide a comprehensive overview of the safety landscape in Luxembourg.
Non-significant risks
Political Risk
The term refers to the potential impact of political decisions or events on personal life, business operations, or investments. These risks can include changes in government policies, instability, corruption, or regulatory changes.
As rated by Global Residence Index risks of political instability in the Grand Duchy are excluded. This is because the country has a stable political system and a well-established rule of law.
Luxembourg is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy. System, that is known for political stability and low levels of corruption.
The country also has a strong legal system, which provides businesses and investors with a predictable and transparent environment. As a result, the risk of political instability or upheaval is minimal in Luxembourg, making it an attractive destination for both individuals and companies looking for a safe and stable place to invest and do business.
Risk of Death from War and Conflicts
This risk refers to the likelihood of death or injury to individuals from military conflicts, acts of terrorism, and other forms of violence related to war.
The country has a history of neutrality and has been spared from major conflicts in the recent past. The last war in Luxembourg was World War II, during which the country was occupied by German forces. Since then, Luxembourg has been actively promoting peace and security through its membership in international organizations, such as the United Nations and NATO.
Despite being a safe and stable country, Luxembourg maintains a military presence and is committed to maintaining its defense capabilities.
Low-level risks
Safety Risk
It refers to the estimated risk of harm or danger to an individual's security within a country. This can include risks related to violent crime, theft, or other threats to personal safety.
In Luxembourg, the safety risk is considered very low as shown by the 0.1 risk rate on the Global Residence Index. The country has a well-funded and efficient police force, which helps maintain high safety and security for residents and visitors alike. Additionally, Luxembourg is a relatively affluent country with a high standard of living, which can also contribute to a lower crime rate.
Property offenses
Property offenses refer to crimes that involve the theft or damage of property, such as petty theft, shoplifting, pickpocketing, burglary, and vandalism.
Even though property offenses are the main source of crime in Luxembourg and account for almost 60% of all offenses, the risk of property offenses is considered low in Luxembourg. Police helps to deter crime and investigate and prosecute offenders.
Regarding vehicle-related thefts, there has been an increase of 12.82% from 2020 to 2021, but it's worth noting that a significant portion of this increase is due to bike thefts. In recent years, the number of stolen bikes has significantly risen, and now represents a big part of the thefts in connection with vehicles.
Another important point is residential burglaries, which, although not very frequent, are a source of concern for the Luxembourg authorities. The police have implemented various preventive and repressive measures daily, which include targeted patrols, reinforced police presence during key times, information sessions, and raising awareness.
Police have successfully solved a significant number of cases committed in the past, with 493 burglaries committed between 2012 and 2021 being solved in 202, and 109 people being arrested for crimes of this nature throughout that year.
The homicide rate
The rate refers to the number of intentional killings occurring in a country or region over a given period, typically measured per 100,000 population.
In Luxembourg, this is considered low risk, with a homicide rate of 0.4 per 100,000 of the population (according to the Global Residence Index), which has remained below zero for the last decade.
Only a small number of homicides occur each year in Luxembourg, with an average of 3.18 per year over the 10 years from 2011 to 2021 according to united nations statistics.
It is important to note that the statistics also include manslaughter, justifiable homicide, killing in war, euthanasia and execution in addition to the murders.
Kidnapping and abduction
Kidnapping risk refer to the likelihood of someone being abducted or taken against their will.
Based on United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime data, Luxembourg's kidnapping rate averaged 7.7 kidnappings per 100,000 people from 2006 to 2018. The minimum recorded rate was 3.6 kidnappings per 100,000 people in 2006, while the maximum was 10.7 kidnappings per 100,000 people in 2012.
The most recent data from 2018 shows that the rate has decreased to 6 kidnappings per 100,000 people. It is important to note that the low kidnapping risk does not mean that it is not a serious crime in Luxembourg, and it is still important to take precautions and be aware of one's surroundings.
Risk and mortality rates from natural disasters
Deaths caused by natural disasters in a specific region or country and take into account major disasters, such as earthquakes, floods, tsunamis, hurricanes, and storms as well as man-made disasters are considered in this rate. The natural disaster risk on the other hand indicates the level of exposure to natural disasters that a country face.
The Global Residence Index website compares 181 capital cities and major cities in 113 countries and provides a basis for analyzing natural disaster risk. Although it does not offer a country-level perspective, we can observe the situation in the capital city. On this list, Luxembourg City has a natural disaster risk of 2.43. This makes Luxembourg City the 21st least at risk from natural disasters out of the 162 cities on the list.
Regarding the death rate, Our World in Data website gives us a perspective of the percentage of deaths from natural disasters as a share of total deaths from 1990 to 2019 in Luxembourg and shows that this value has always been zero throughout this period, except for 2005 when it was 0.05%.
It’s possible to say that Luxembourg faces a relatively low risk of natural disasters compared to other countries and the mortality rate due to natural disasters is insignificant.
It's important to note that the natural disaster risk we analyze here is a measure of exposure, not necessarily vulnerability. A country with a low risk of natural disasters may still be vulnerable to the impact of a severe disaster, and conversely, a country with a high risk may be well-prepared to manage the impact of natural disasters.
Medium-level risks
Mortality rates as a result of road accidents
The annual death rate in the country as a result of road accidents includes deaths related to motor vehicles (drivers and passengers), motorcyclists, cyclists, and pedestrians.
Examining the data in Our World in Data from the year 1990 to 2019 is possible to see that the death rate (per 100,000 people) has been constantly decreasing from 20.09 in 1990 to 5.56 in 2019.
The mortality rate as a result of road accidents has decreased by 72% since 1990 in Luxembourg.
This reduction in mortality rates is mainly attributed to several factors such as
- improved road infrastructure,
- increased awareness of traffic laws and safety measures,
- advancements in automobile technology,
- better emergency medical care.
However, despite the significant decrease in mortality rates, road accidents continue to be a leading cause of death and injury and great care should always be taken when driving.
High-level risks
Fraud and scams
According to the auditor PWC, as recently as 2019, one in three Luxembourgers was a victim of fraud. This is better than the European average, where 42% of respondents have been scammed one way or another, but it is still very high.
The most common schemes in Luxembourg are telephone fraud, phishing, spam, and domain fraud. The elderly are often viewed as vulnerable targets due to the assumption that they possess larger amounts of money and may be more susceptible to fraudulent schemes. Even when it is true, people of any age still can fall into the tricks.
Read more about how to protect yourself from scammers and not become a victim of their schemes in our special article — How to protect yourself from scammers in Luxembourg.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is Luxembourg a safe place to live and visit
Yes, the country is generally considered a safe place to live and visit. There is a low-level crime rate in Luxembourg and the country is ranked as one of the safest in the world. The country also has a highly efficient and well-funded police force that works to maintain law and order.
However, as with any place, there is always the possibility of crime, and visitors and residents should still take basic precautions such as being aware of their surroundings and avoiding certain areas at night.
Are there any areas in Luxembourg that should be avoided due to safety concerns
Yes, some areas in Luxembourg should be avoided due to safety concerns, particularly the Gare neighborhood and the area around the "haut" of Rue de Strasbourg. This area is considered to be the center of the drug trade in the country, and the authorities have struggled to contain the spread of drug-related crime and prostitution in the area.
While Luxembourg is generally a safe country, visitors and residents should exercise caution and be aware of their surroundings, particularly in areas known for higher levels of crime.
How Luxembourg government improves security
The state has taken several measures to improve security in the country. These include investing in modern equipment and technology for law enforcement agencies, increasing the number of police officers and border control agents, and implementing a comprehensive counter-terrorism strategy. Additionally, the government has launched awareness campaigns to educate citizens and visitors about safety measures they can take to protect themselves. Luxembourg also participates in international security agreements, such as the Schengen Agreement, to ensure cooperation and coordination with neighboring countries in matters of security.
What are the best and safest neighborhoods to stay or live in Luxembourg City
Luxembourg City is generally a safe place to live and stay, with several neighborhoods being particularly popular for their safety and quality of life. Some of the best and safest areas to live in Luxembourg City are Belair, Limpertsberg, and Kirchberg. Belair is an upscale neighborhood with charming townhouses, designer shops, gourmet restaurants, and family-friendly spaces such as Castle Park and Park Merl. Limpertsberg offers a chic and classic family-friendly environment, characterized by calm and quietness. Kirchberg is a modern, business and residential neighborhood that houses several institutions of the European Union and other important organizations. Additionally, Gasperich and Merl are also good options, with Gasperich being a neighborhood in full transformation and Merl being an ideal green space for families. It is important to note that while these neighborhoods are considered safe, it is always advisable to take standard safety precautions and be aware of your surroundings.
