COPENHAGEN, Denmark – The World Health Organisation says 40 young Europeans are murdered every day, with Russia, Albania and Kazakhstan having the highest homicide rates for people aged 10 to 29.
In its first report on youth violence, WHO’s European office says about 40 per cent of the 15 000 annual youth homicides are perpetrated with knifes and sharp weapons. Other means include firearms and strangulation.
Homicide is the third most common cause of death after road traffic injuries and suicides for that age group. Eighty per cent of the victims are men.
The report – presented today at a conference in London – says Austria, Armenia and Germany had the lowest youth murder rate among the 53 European nations covered by the survey.