Response of Crime to Unemployment: An International Comparison

• NCJ Number: 247538
• Journal: Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice Volume: 30 Issue: 1 Dated: February 2014 Pages: 29-40
• Author(s): Paolo Buonanno; Francesco Drago; Roberto Galbiati
• Date Published: February 2014
• Length: 12 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article studies crime rates' response to economic conditions.

Abstract

This article studies crime rates' response to economic conditions. Using a longitudinal data set covering about 20 countries over the period 1970-2010, the authors investigate whether crime rates respond asymmetrically to increases in unemployment and recoveries in economic conditions. The authors found a positive response of crime rates on variation in unemployment rates, but did not find compelling evidence of asymmetric responses to positive and negative variations in the economic cycle. Abstract published by arrangement with Sage Journals.