Socioeconomic inequalities in homicide mortality: a population-based comparative study of 12 European countries
Abstrakt
The study assessed socioeconomic inequalities in homicide mortality across Europe. Longitudinal and cross-sectional data were obtained from mortality registers and population censuses in 12 European countries.
Educational level was used to indicate socioeconomic position. Age-standardized mortality rates were calculated for post, upper and lower secondary or less educational groups.
The magnitude of inequalities was assessed using the relative and slope index of inequality. The analysis focused on the 35-64 age group.
Educational inequalities in homicide mortality were present in all countries. Absolute inequalities in homicide mortality were larger in the eastern part of Europe and in Finland, consistent with their higher overall homicide rates.
They contributed 2.5 % at most (in Estonia) to the inequalities in total mortality. Relative inequalities were high in the northern and eastern part of Europe, but were low in Belgium, Switzerland and Slovenia.
Patterns were less consistent among women. Socioeconomic inequalities in homicide are thus a universal phenomenon in Europe.