Despite Record-Low Murder Rates, Brazilians Feel Less Safe
Homicide rates have fallen steadily in recent years, but over a third of Brazil's public believe that violence has increased since Lula took office.
RIO DE JANEIRO — There is a paradoxical reality in Brazil today: While murders have fallen to record lows, Brazilians are deeply concerned about criminal violence. There were 39,500 intentional homicides reported in 2023, a 4% drop from 2022, when there were 41,100. Indeed, homicide rates have fallen steadily over the past few years under former President Jair Bolsonaro and President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Yet although murders are at the lowest level in years, recent surveys show that 36% of respondents believe that violence actually increased since Lula took office...
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