Researchers from the European University in St. Petersburg conducted a pioneering study to quantify the economic impact of crime in Russia. Their analysis reveals that criminal activity in 2021 imposed a substantial toll on the national economy, amounting to 1.75 trillion rubles in direct and indirect costs. This figure represents a notable share of the country’s total output and underscores the broad consequences crime imposes beyond individual victims.
The study links the total damage to 1.3 percent of Russia’s gross domestic product. It is based on an approach that translates the intangible harm suffered by crime victims into monetary terms, reflecting the compensation needed to offset the negative experiences associated with crime and restore a sense of security and well being could they have not been victimized. This method offers a way to compare crime’s impact with other economic factors and policy costs, facilitating a more informed public discussion about prevention and enforcement strategies.
On average, the research assigns a monetary value to crime at roughly 135.2 thousand rubles per incident. This amount represents the additional income a victim would require in a year to recover the same level of life satisfaction they had before the crime occurred, highlighting how personal losses extend into long term economic and social dimensions for individuals and households alike.
Using these calculations, the study estimates that about 10.9 percent of Russia’s population identify themselves as victims of crime, illustrating the pervasive reach Crime exerts across communities and the potential cumulative effect on social cohesion, trust, and participation in economic life.
In related remarks, a high level official cited at a federal meeting noted that crimes involving information technology account for a significant share of reported offenses. This observation aligns with global trends toward cyber and digital risks, emphasizing the need for robust cyber security measures, enhanced digital literacy, and targeted law enforcement capabilities to reduce such harm and mitigate its economic and social costs.