Restoring institutions for safe and inclusive cities
Poverty and income inequality are often cited as drivers of violent crime. Despite advances in income equality, violent crime has flourished in urban Venezuela. Crime rates have increased, and although poverty rates fell by nearly half between 1999 and 2010, homicides more than doubled, increasing from 25 per 100,000 people to 57. By 2015, the homicide rate had soared to 90. What could account for this rise in violence, even as inequality reached the lowest levels in Latin America?
Research led by the Social Science Laboratory (LACSO) shows how respect for the rule of law has eroded, leaving citizens to rely on informal institutions — such as family and faith, or criminal networks and paramilitaries — for security.
Learn more on how to make urban cities in Venezuela more safe and inclusive (PDF, 222KB) and about the Safe and Inclusive Cities initiative.
