Swiss juvenile convictions rose by 11% last year, with a significant increase in crimes by under 15-year-olds, according to the Federal Statistical Office.

Juvenile convictions in Switzerland rose by 11% in 2023 compared to 2022. The Federal Statistical Office (FSO) reported more crimes committed by under 15-year-olds. Convictions for pornography and road traffic offenses also saw significant increases.

The number of offenders under 15 convicted under the Swiss Criminal Code rose by 60.2% between 2015 and 2023. The FSO highlighted increases in grievous bodily harm, brawling, and obstructing official acts, which nearly tripled over nine years. Nine juveniles were convicted of intentional homicide in 2023, with one offender aged 15.

A total of 23,080 juvenile convictions were recorded last year. Convictions for Criminal Code violations increased by 5%, continuing a trend since 2015. Convictions for criminal acts against sexual integrity nearly tripled since 2015, with pornography offenses almost quadrupling.

Youth convictions rose by 38.5% for males and 32.7% for females. There was a 23.7% increase among Swiss citizens and a 43.9% rise among those with foreign citizenship. Juvenile convictions for narcotics trafficking and consumption continued to decline, down 55.4% over nine years, and fell by 19.7% and 12.9% respectively compared to 2022.

Violations of the Road Traffic Act by juveniles increased by 16.3% compared to 2022, with 5,857 convictions last year. Serious offenses, mainly speeding, rose by 39.4%, while moderate offenses increased by 21.5%.

Adult convictions decreased by 1.4% in 2023, with 102,822 recorded for felonies or misdemeanors. Convictions for drug trafficking among adults fell by 14.2% compared to the previous year, and by 45.8% since 2015. However, property crime convictions, including theft, rose by 23.9% in 2023.

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