If you’re planning a trip to Sweden, it’s important to be aware of the most dangerous cities in the country. While crime rates are relatively low overall, there are still some areas that are more prone to violence and theft.
By familiarizing yourself with these dangerous cities, you can help keep yourself safe while enjoying all that Sweden has to offer.
Most Dangerous Cities In Sweden
1. Gothenburg
Gothenburg is the second largest city in Sweden and it has a population of around 500,000 people. The city has a high crime rate and it is ranked as one of the world’s most dangerous cities by Forbes magazine.
The city has been called the “world’s rape capital” due to its high number of reports of sexual assault.
There were 3,744 reported rapes in 2016 and 20% of those victims were under 15 years old. According to statistics from 2017, on average ten women are raped every day in Gothenburg alone and a third of reported rapes go unsolved.
2. Malmö
Malmö is the third largest city in Sweden and the most populous in the country after Stockholm. Malmö is located on the eastern shore of Öresund, which connects Scania to Zealand. The city has a population of over 300,000 and serves as a gateway to the Nordic countries for many tourists. Malmö has a history dating back to the Middle Ages, but it wasn’t until the 19th century that it established itself as an important industrial center.
Malmö has been affected by gang crime in recent years, with some areas being described as no-go zones due to high levels of violence and drug dealing. The city has also seen several murders committed by asylum seekers who were living in asylum centers run by Swedish authorities.
3. Stockholm
Stockholm is the capital of Sweden and the largest city in the country. This beautiful city is a tourist destination for many people. Stockholm has a population of over 830,000 people and is one of the most expensive cities in Europe. But behind this glamorous exterior lies a dangerous underbelly that you wouldn’t expect from such a beautiful city.
Stockholm has a high crime rate and it’s not safe for tourists to walk around at night without being aware of their surroundings. The city has an average homicide rate of 3 per 100,000 people, this makes it one of the most dangerous cities in Europe.
Stockholm isn’t as safe as it looks on TV or in movies. In 2016 there were over 1,500 reported cases of violent crimes against women (including rape) in Stockholm alone. This number rose by 10% between 2019-2021 which shows that violent crime is increasing in this beautiful city!
4. Lund
Lund is the capital of Scania, in the south of Sweden. It is a very old city, with a university and a cathedral. It is also the centre of a large metropolitan area, with about 300,000 inhabitants.
The crime rate in Lund is higher than average for Swedish cities, but it is not dangerous compared to other European cities. There are no ghettos or slums in Lund as there are in several other Swedish cities.
The most common crimes are related to drugs and alcohol.
There are some gang conflicts in certain areas of the city, but these conflicts tend to stay within those areas where they occur. Most violent crimes happen inside private homes or clubs, so tourists should not worry too much about getting attacked while walking through the streets at night.
5. Uppsala
Uppsala is a city in Sweden, located about 45 kilometers north of the capital Stockholm. As of 2018, it has a population of over 140,000 people. It’s one of the oldest cities in all of Scandinavia, having been founded as long ago as the 11th century.
So what makes Uppsala so dangerous? Well for starters, it has an incredibly high crime rate for such a small city. There are also reports that many crimes go unreported because people are afraid that their names will become known to criminals if they report them and they don’t want that risk taken on themselves or their families.
6. Östersund
Östersund is a city in the county of Jämtland in the north of Sweden. It has about 45,000 inhabitants and for several years has been the most dangerous city in Sweden. The crime rate is 50% higher than the national average, with murder and assault being particularly common.
In Östersund there are more than 30 murder attempts per 100,000 people each year. This figure is more than twice as high as in Stockholm, which is often considered one of Europe’s most dangerous cities.
The number of sexual offenses in Östersund also exceeds the national average by 50%. The city has earned its reputation as one of Sweden’s most dangerous cities because it has been a center for gang violence between local gangs and immigrant gangs from other countries such as Somalia and Afghanistan.
7. Trollhattan
Trollhattan has a high number of drug crimes in comparison to the rest of Sweden. Drug use is widespread and many people are hooked on illegal drugs. The most common crime here is assault, which occurs more frequently than elsewhere in the country. This may be due to the large number of bars and nightclubs in the city center.
The second most common crime here is burglary, which is commonly committed at night when there are few witnesses around to see it happening.
8. Helsingborg
Helsingborg is the biggest town in Scania, the southernmost province of Sweden. It’s located on the narrowest part of the country, at a point where two straits meet. It’s known for its beaches and the old city center, which was founded by King Christian IV of Denmark in 1619.
But it’s also known for something else: crime. According to data from Statistics Sweden (SCB), Helsingborg has one of the highest rates of reported crimes in all of Sweden.
In 2017, there were 133 cases per 1,000 people — compared with the national average of 69 cases per 1,000 people — making it one of the most dangerous cities in Sweden.
The city has high rates of reported assaults and robberies but also high rates of drug use and vandalism.
9. Kalmar
Kalmar, Sweden is one of the most dangerous cities in Sweden. Kalmar is located in the south of Sweden, and it has a population of about 70,000 people. The city has become a popular tourist attraction because of its old town and historical buildings. However, there are high levels of crime in this city due to its poverty rate and unemployment rate which are both very high.
Kalmar was once known as one of the safest cities in Europe but sadly that’s no longer the case today. The crime rate has increased dramatically over the last few years due to issues like poverty and unemployment among other things. This article will discuss more about Kalmar’s safety issues as well as how unsafe it really is for tourists today.
10. Norrköping
The city of Norrköping is the fifth-largest city in Sweden. The city is located on the eastern shore of Lake Vättern, surrounded by a rich agricultural area. It is also known as a university town since it has a large student population.
The crime rate in Norrköping is relatively high, with most crimes being theft and burglary. The most dangerous areas are north of the city center and around Drottningtorget, which is the main square in Norrkoping.
The main reason for this is that the area around Drottningtorget has been known for prostitution and drug use for many years. This has led to an increase in criminal activity in this area over time.
Conclusion
While Sweden is generally a safe place to live, there are still some cities that are more dangerous than others. We hope this list of the 10 most dangerous cities in Sweden has helped you be more aware of the areas to avoid. If you do find yourself in one of these cities, be sure to take extra precaution and stay alert. Do you feel safe living in Sweden? Let us know in the comments below!