According to NCRB’s ‘Crime in India’ reports, reported crimes against women rose from 3.37 lakh in 2014 to 4.45 lakh in 2022, reflecting a 30% increase. The crime rate also climbed from 56.3 in 2014 to 66.4 in 2022.
A 2018 survey by the Thomson Reuters Foundation, based on the opinions of representatives from 193 United Nations Member States, identified India as the most dangerous country in the world for women.
Between 2014 and 2022, reported crimes against women increased by 31%
The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) documents crimes under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Special and Local Laws (SLL), including the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act and the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act. In 2014, there were 3,37,922 reported crimes against women, which rose to 4,45,526 by 2022, marking a significant increase of over 31% in less than a decade. The crime rate per lakh women also grew from 56.3 in 2014 to 66.4 in 2022.
The only years during this period to show a decrease in crimes compared to the previous year were 2015, with 3,27,394 incidents (down from 3,37,922 in 2014), and 2020, a COVID-19 affected year, with 3,71,503 crimes (down from 4,05,861 in 2019). Apart from these two years, the number of crimes against women consistently rose each year.
Seven states consistently ranked among the top 10 for crime rates against women each year between 2014 and 2022.
From 2014 to 2022, sixteen states and union territories (13 states and 3 UTs, with Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli combined as one UT) consistently ranked among the top ten for crimes against women per lakh women population. Seven states—Assam, Delhi, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan, and Telangana—appeared in the top ten every year during this period. Andhra Pradesh and Andaman and Nicobar Islands made the top ten in five out of the nine years.
Delhi consistently held a top-three spot across all nine years, while Assam ranked in the top three for eight years, and Telangana for four years. Odisha and Haryana appeared in the top three twice, while Rajasthan and Lakshadweep were featured once. Despite Delhi and Assam ranking 20th and 18th respectively in female population, they consistently report high numbers of crimes against women. Although specific reasons for these rankings remain unclear, better reporting practices in these states could be a factor.
Between 2014 and 2022, the states that consistently ranked highest for crimes against women per lakh women population were:
- Delhi: Consistently ranked in the top three across all nine years.
- Assam: Ranked in the top three for eight years.
- Telangana: Appeared in the top three for four years.
- Odisha: Featured in the top three twice.
- Haryana: Also appeared in the top three twice.
- Rajasthan: Ranked in the top three once.
- Lakshadweep: Featured in the top three once.
