Murder rate falls to record low but femicide rate unchanged

In 2025, the Netherlands saw its lowest murder toll since records began, with 103 people killed by murder or manslaughter, 17 fewer than the previous year. The decrease was primarily driven by a decline in male victims, reaching a 30-year low. However, the rate of femicide, or murder of women by a partner, has remained unchanged for 15 years, accounting for nearly half of all female victims.

Among women aged 20 to 60, this proportion rose to 63%. Police identified a suspect in 96% of cases involving women, with an additional 18% killed by a relative, 16% by an acquaintance, and 9% by a stranger. In contrast, police identified a suspect in 86% of cases involving men, with nearly a third killed by an acquaintance and 11% by someone in the criminal underworld.

The statistics office also recorded the deaths of 24 children under 10 over the five-year period, with 20 cases involving the child's own parent as the suspected killer. Rotterdam experienced the highest number of victims, followed by Amsterdam, The Hague, and Utrecht. A quarter of all victims were killed in the four largest cities.

The constant rate of partner killings has sparked political concern about femicide, prompting the cabinet to propose making coercive control a criminal offense. A study found that Dutch courts rarely use the term "femicide" in their verdicts. For confidential advice on domestic violence, contact Veilig Thuis (Safe at Home) on 0800 2000 or veiligthuis.nl.