Citation(s) from the GunPolicy.org literature library
Langeani, Bruno and Natália Pollachi. 2022 ‘Graph 1. Homicides in Brazil (overall and firearm homicides), 2013-2020.’ Less Guns, More Youth: Armed Violence, Police Violence and the Arms Trade in Brazil, p. 27. Cologny: Terre Des Hommes. 7 March
Relevant contents
Graph 1. Homicides in Brazil (overall and firearm homicides), 2013-2020
All Homicides [Year - Number]
2013 - 57,396
2014 - 60,474
2015 - 59,080
2016 - 62,517
2017 - 65,602
2018 - 57,956
2019 - 45,503
2020*- 43,892
Firearm Homicides [Year - Number]
2013 - 40,369
2014 - 42,755
2015 - 41,817
2016 - 44,475
2017 - 47,510
2018 - 41,179
2019 - 30,825
2020*- No data
*Data from the Violence Monitor
Source: Elaborated by Instituto Sou da Paz based on data from MS/SIM/DATASUS and the Violence Monitor
The number of homicides peaked in 2017, followed by a significant drop in 2018 and 2019. As the two data sources use different methodologies, it is not possible to confirm whether there was a continuation or reversal of this trend in 2020. However, a comparison with the Violence Monitor data for 2019 (41,730 homicides) shows that the number of homicides rose by 5 per cent in 2020. It is important to note, however, that the number of homicides remains extremely high, despite restrictions on gatherings in public spaces and stay-at-home orders implemented during the Covid-19 pandemic.
It is important to note that homicide rates vary greatly across Brazil's 26 states and federal district. The states of Bahia, Ceará, Pernambuco, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo accounted for 18,922 of lives lost in 2019, 13,272 of which caused by firearms. The graph below shows the firearm homicide rate per 100,000 population in these states.