Violent Deaths in Brazil Hit Record Low, but Police Lethality Remains High Homicides continue downward trend since 2018

[Judi Lynn]

Jul.24.2025 4:09PM

São Paulo

Brazil recorded 44,127 intentional violent deaths in 2024, continuing a decline that began in 2018, according to data from the Brazilian Public Security Yearbook released Thursday (24). The trend started under Michel Temer’s (MDB) administration and persisted during the terms of Jair Bolsonaro (PL) and Lula (PT).

Last year’s figure is the lowest since the historical series began in 2011, marking a 5% drop from 2023 (Lula’s first year) and an 8% decrease from 2022 (Bolsonaro’s final year).

The intentional violent death rate combines homicides, robbery-related killings, fatal assaults, and police lethality. The methodology was developed by the Brazilian Public Security Forum, which conducts the study.

Deaths from police interventions totaled 6,243 in 2024, down 2.7% from 2023 (6,413). However, the slower decline compared to overall homicides increased the share of police-related fatalities within total violent deaths.

https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/internacional/en/brazil/2025/07/violent-deaths-in-brazil-hit-record-low-but-police-lethality-remains-high.shtml