Politically motivated crime in Germany - statistics & facts

The German Bundeskriminalamt (BKA, Federal Criminal Police Office) defines politically motivated crime, in summary, as those criminal offences which aim at achieving or hindering political aims, are against the free basic democratic order and directed against other people for reasons having to do with their political views, nationality, ethnic background, skin color, religious affiliation, social status, physical and mental disabilities, sexual orientation or appearance. Specific criminal acts are then divided into politically motivated crime based on the concrete motivation and targets of the criminal: left-wing, right-wing, foreign and religious ideology. According to the BKA, terrorist acts represent the most extreme form of politically motivated crime. The total number of recorded politically motivated criminal offences in Germany has fluctuated in the last 15 years, peaking in 2016 at 41,549. Politically motivated criminal offences also include violent offences.

Right-wing extremism

The number of right-wing extremists in Germany has generally grown in recent years. These are divided by the type of organization to which they belong and the ideology for which they express support. In 2019, there were 13,000 right-wing German extremists classified as violence-oriented or "ready for violence". That same year, 22,342 right-wing criminal offences were recorded in Germany, as well as 986 right-wing violent acts. Of criminal offences with a right-wing extremist background, by type, the highest number of offences related to propaganda. Right-wing extremist criminal offences also include acts against German asylum homes, with 126 recorded offences in 2019. Of these, 14 were violent.

Left-wing extremism

The number of left-wing extremists in Germany has also grown across different categories since 2016, amounting to 34,500 in 2019. Of these, 900 were classified as anarchists and 9,200 were considered violence-oriented. The number of left-wing extremist criminal offences recorded in 2019 amounted to 6,449. Of these, 921 were violent. Both figures were lower than the previous year. Of non-violent left-wing extremist criminal offences, the most common type recorded in 2019 was property damage, at 3,520 cases. That same year, among violent acts, the highest number was committed against police and law enforcement at 467.

This text provides general information. Statista assumes no liability for the information given being complete or correct. Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date data than referenced in the text.
Published by Statista Research Department, Jan 16, 2023

Key insights

Number of politically motivated criminal offences in Germany
41.177
Number of politically motivated violent offences in Germany
2,832
Number of known persons in Germany posing an Islamic terrorism threat
700
Get more insights

Editor’s Picks Current statistics on this topic

Number of cases of hate speech recorded by the police in Germany from 2009 to 2020

Crime & Law Enforcement

Cases of hate speech recorded by the police in Germany 2009-2020

Number of members of far-right political parties in Germany from 2005 to 2020

Politics & Government

Far-right political parties in Germany: membership figures 2005-2020

Number of criminal offences with an extremist background based on religious ideology in Germany in 2022, by type of offence

Terrorism

Extremist criminal offences based on religious ideology Germany 2022

Related topics

Recommended

3

Recommended statistics

Overview

5

Overview

Right-wing extremism

21

Right-wing extremism

Left-wing extremism

11

Left-wing extremism

Foreign and religious ideology

6

Foreign and religious ideology

Antisemitism

4

Antisemitism

Further reportsGet the best reports to understand your industry

Contact

Get in touch with us. We are happy to help.
Statista Locations
Contact Meredith Alda
Meredith Alda
Sales Manager– Contact (United States)
Email
support@statista.com

Mon - Fri, 9am - 6pm (EST)

Contact Yolanda Mega
Yolanda Mega
Operations Manager– Contact (Asia)
Email
asia.support@statista.com

Mon - Fri, 9am - 5pm (SGT)

Contact Kisara Mizuno
Kisara Mizuno
Senior Business Development Manager– Contact (Asia)
Email
support.japan@statista.com

Mon - Fri, 10:00am - 6:00pm (JST)

Contact Lodovica Biagi
Lodovica Biagi
Director of Operations– Contact (Europe)
Email
eu.support@statista.com

Mon - Fri, 9:30am - 5pm (GMT)

Contact Carolina Dulin
Carolina Dulin
Group Director - LATAM– Contact (Latin America)
Email
latam@statista.com

Mon - Fri, 9am - 6pm (EST)

Menu