European Union statistics confirm that men are responsible for virtually all serious violent offences, a pattern that cuts across countries, age groups and migration backgrounds. In 2024, only one in 18 adult prisoners in the EU were women, a proportion that mirrors figures from Finland to Romania.

Recent incidents underline the gender gap

The latest shock came from Sweden, where an 18‑year‑old male student used a sword to kill a 17‑year‑old peer and wound two others at a secondary school. Police later uncovered an online account linked to the attacker that streamed videos of previous mass shooters. A second teenager, aged 16, was arrested after encrypted messages revealed he had encouraged the attack.

While the case attracted widespread media attention, it is part of a broader statistical reality. Across the continent, men dominate the perpetrator pool for homicide, rape and other forms of sexual violence. United Nations data for 2023 show that roughly 44% of homicide suspects worldwide were aged 15‑29, and men in that age bracket also face the highest risk of being killed.

Trends in violent crime

Homicide rates have fallen by 11% over the past decade, yet reported rape and sexual violence have risen by 7% and 10% respectively, a shift attributed largely to greater awareness and reporting. The European Commission notes that 99% of those convicted for these offences are men.

These patterns hold true in the three largest European economies, Germany, France and the United Kingdom, as well as in Sweden, where the latest school attack occurred. In every case, young men are the most frequent offenders.

Immigration and crime: what the data say

A 2026 study by the Universidad Complutense de Madrid examined 5.5 million final convictions in Spain between 2007 and 2023. After controlling for age, gender and socioeconomic status, the researchers found that immigration per se does not explain higher crime rates. Immigrants tend to be younger and more often male, which accounts for much of the observed disparity.

When demographic factors are taken into account, the conviction gap between foreign nationals and Spanish citizens narrows by almost half. Nevertheless, foreign nationals are still convicted at roughly twice the rate of native Spaniards. The study highlights that the origin of these foreigners matters: men from Brazil, Paraguay, Senegal and Ukraine have lower conviction rates than those from France, Belgium or Romania, all of whom hold EU residency. Men from Mexico, Mali or Pakistan are convicted at even lower rates than native Spaniards.

Crimes commonly linked to immigration, such as drug offences, are more often committed by short‑stay tourists or members of transnational criminal networks rather than settled migrants. Victims of crimes perpetrated by immigrants are frequently other immigrants, especially women, underscoring the importance of nuanced policy responses.

What drives the gender gap?

The Spanish analysis identified two consistent predictors of crime: urbanisation and average age. Across all demographic groups, men are convicted at about six times the rate of women, regardless of nationality.

These findings suggest that policies aimed at reducing violent attacks should target the gender dimension rather than focusing solely on migration status. Experts argue that interventions such as early education on conflict resolution, mental‑health support for young men and community‑based programmes could address the root causes of male‑driven violence.

Policy recommendations

The Madrid study recommends expanding regularisation pathways and integration measures to improve the social and economic inclusion of migrants. While such steps may help lower the residual crime gap, the authors stress that the primary lever for reducing overall violent crime lies in addressing male‑specific risk factors.

Union and labour representatives across Europe have welcomed the emphasis on gender‑focused prevention, warning that neglecting the male dimension risks perpetuating cycles of violence that affect families, workplaces and public services. At the same time, civil‑society groups caution against simplistic narratives that could stigmatise entire communities.

As European governments grapple with rising concerns over public safety, the data point to a clear, if uncomfortable, reality: men, not migrants, are the predominant source of violent crime. Effective policy will need to reflect this evidence, balancing targeted support for vulnerable groups with broader strategies that engage young men in education, employment and community life.