Lyon ranks 6th in the world for the highest increase in perceived crime since 2019. According to a study conducted by Compare the Market Australia across over 400 cities worldwide, the feeling of insecurity has jumped by 13.4% in just six years in Lyon. In simple terms, more and more people in Lyon feel that their city has become less safe, a sentiment bolstered by media coverage of various incidents and the urban tensions observed in recent months.
A global ranking dominated by South Africa
Lyon is joined in this unfortunate ranking of cities where feelings of safety are rapidly declining. At the top of the cities that have deteriorated the most is Minsk (+28%) in Belarus, followed by Osaka in Japan (+18%), Thessaloniki in Greece (+17%...6%), Kelowna in Canada (+13.9%) and San José in the United States (+13.5%). As for the cities with the lowest safety in the world, Pietermaritzburg (South Africa) tops the list, followed by Caracas (Venezuela), Port Moresby (Papua New Guinea), San Pedro Sula (Honduras) and Memphis (USA). South Africa manages the unfortunate feat of placing five cities in the top 10: Pietermaritzburg, Pretoria, Johannesburg, Durban, and Port Elizabeth.
Lyon, between reality and perception
This ranking doesn't measure real crime rates, but rather the perception of it by the residents. In other words, it primarily reflects a growing discomfort, a loss of trust, and a feeling of insecurity in public spaces. This feeling can be influenced by everyday incivilities, media coverage of certain events, or even increasing urban density.
While some cities see their insecurity index skyrocket, the United Arab Emirates dominate the list of the safest cities in the world. Abu Dhabi takes first place with a crime index of just 11.6, followed by Dubai and Sharjah. It's enough to make city dwellers dream of tranquility.