Relationship between Population Growth and Crime Rates

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15109897

Keywords:

population growth, crime rates, trends

Abstract

The relationship between population growth and crime rates has often been framed in a rigid linear or non-linear framework in traditional academic discourse. This study examined the relationship between population growth and crime rates in Kasoa, Ghana using Ghana Statistical Service data on population and crime reports from the Kasoa Divisional Headquarters over the years. In this study, we showed that the relationship between population growth and crime rates exhibits a dynamic and fluctuating pattern, indicating that this relationship is shaped by multifaceted socio-economic and environmental factors. The result holds significance for crime prevention as one-size-fits-all crime prevention strategies and policies will be ineffective.

References

Adeyemi, R. A., Mayaki, J., Zewotir, T. T., & Ramroop, S. (2020). Demography and Crime: A Spatial analysis of geographical patterns and risk factors of Crimes in Nigeria. Spatial Statistics, 100485. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spasta.2020.10048

Barton, M. S., Anderson, B., & Charles, C. (2025). Population growth and its paradox: An investigation into the correlates of four forms of violence in a rapidly expanding suburb. Journal of Criminal Justice, 96, 102343. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2024.102343

Kubrin, C. E., Luo, X., & Hipp, J. R. (2024). Immigration and Crime: Is the Relationship Nonlinear? The British Journal of Criminology, azae045, https://doi.org/10.1093/bjc/azae045.

Lee, S., & Jang, C. (2021). Decomposing the Effect of Population Changes on Crime Changes. International Journal of Advanced Culture Technology, 9(1) 1-6. https://doi.org/10.17703/IJACT.2021.9.1.1

Mazorodze, B. T. (2020) Youth unemployment and murder crimes in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, Cogent Economics & Finance, 8, 1, 1799480, https://doi.org/10.1080/23322039.2020.1799480

Owusu, G., Oteng-Ababio, M., Owusu, A. Y., & Wrigley-Asante, C. (2016). Can Poor Neighbourhoods be Correlated with Crime? Evidence from Urban Ghana. Ghana Journal of Geography, 8 (1), 11-31. https://www.ajol.info/index.php/gjg/article/view/138515

Van-Dijk, J., Nieuwbeerta, P., & Joudo Larsen, J. (2021). Global Crime Patterns: An Analysis of Survey Data from 166 Countries Around the World, 2006–2019. Journal of Quantitative Criminology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10940-021-09501-0

Downloads

Published

2025-03-30