Getting kidnapped is extremely rare for most people. However, kidnapping still occurs in certain parts of the world and among certain populations. This article examines kidnapping statistics, trends, and risk factors to assess how common it is to get kidnapped in today’s world.
Kidnapping Statistics
According to the FBI, in 2019 there were 364,324 missing person cases and only a fraction, about 50,000 per year, are abduction related. The majority of kidnappings are carried out by family members, primarily parents involved in custodial disputes. Stranger abductions make up only 100-200 cases per year within the U.S. That means the odds of being kidnapped by a stranger are about 1 in 600,000.
| Type of Abduction | Number Per Year in U.S. |
|---|---|
| Parental Kidnapping | 200,000 to 300,000 |
| Acquaintance Kidnapping | 50,000 to 100,000 |
| Stranger Abduction | 100-200 |
About 40% of acquaintance kidnappings are sexually motivated. Two-thirds of victims are girls and most victims are ages 12-17. Though stranger abductions are rare, an estimated 58% are sexually motivated, over 90% of victims are girls, and 100% of perpetrators are male.
Based on global estimates, approximately one million children are kidnapped worldwide each year. However, that number includes any abduction of a minor, including by family members. The number kidnapped for ransom each year globally is around 150,000. Most occur in unstable regions like parts of Africa, the Middle East, and South America.
Kidnapping Trends
In the United States, kidnapping rates increased in the late 1960s throughout the 1970s, likely due to high-profile cases covered heavily by the media. Rates declined steadily from the 1990s through the early 2000s. Between 2000-2010, rates declined by 35% for male and female victims across all age groups except individuals over age 65.
One possible explanation for the general decline in kidnapping over the past several decades is the proliferation of cell phones and real-time tracking technologies, which make planning and carrying out a kidnapping more difficult. Additionally, improved security infrastructure like surveillance cameras have likely deterred would-be perpetrators.
However, from 2010-2017, kidnapping rates in the United States have begun rising again at an alarming rate. From 2014 to 2017 alone, kidnapping rates rose by 27%. As of 2017, the kidnapping rate sits at 2.4 per 100,000 people – down from a peak in 1977 of 8.2 per 100,000 but up significantly from a low of 1.5 in 2004.
Kidnapping Hot Spots
Despite the overall rarity, kidnappings do tend to cluster in certain U.S. hotspots. Sex traffickers frequently operate near the Mexican border in cities like San Diego and Tucson. Rates are also above average in tourism hubs like Orlando and Las Vegas that attract young women and children. Along with Phoenix, Detroit, and Baltimore, these cities have among the highest annual abduction rates.
Globally, countries with the highest risk of kidnapping include Haiti, Mexico, Venezuela, Nigeria, Libya, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Yemen, Somalia, and Iraq. In all of these countries, rates of abduction often exceed 1 per 100,000 people annually. Hot spots like Mexico, Venezuela, and Nigeria also top lists for kidnappings per capita worldwide.
Risk Factors
Though kidnapping remains rare for the general public, certain factors can increase risk:
- Being a child, especially age 12-17.
- Being female – girls are kidnapped at higher rates, especially by non-family.
- Traveling to or living in an unstable region or hotspot.
- Having a high net worth – putting you at risk for ransom kidnappings.
- Being part of a famous family or having VIP status.
- Working in a hazardous job like journalism or aid work in conflict zones.
Young girls face the highest risk of kidnapping because predators target those weaker than themselves. Average net worth in the U.S. is around $746,000, so the extremely wealthy stand out as prime ransom targets. Lastly, jobs like journalist or aid worker draw people to risky areas then make them stand out as valuable targets once there.
Reducing Your Risk
Though kidnapping is rare, you can take steps to reduce your risk when traveling:
- Avoid high-risk destinations if possible.
- Keep a low profile – don’t advertise wealth.
- Research safe areas and avoid high crime zones.
- Exercise situational awareness when out and about.
- Notify someone of your travel plans and check-ins.
- Only take registered taxis and avoid unlicensed transportation.
Overall, kidnapping is most likely if you are traveling to or living in an unstable developing country. But the average American has almost no risk of being abducted. You can reduce your odds even further by taking basic safety precautions when traveling.
Conclusion
Kidnapping affects hundreds of thousands per year globally but only 100-200 Americans annually. Your risk is extremely low at about 1 in 600,000, less than getting struck by lightning. Yet for young girls and those visiting high risk regions, it is smart to take safety measures. Understanding the scale of the risk along with trends, hotspots, and prevention tips allows you to stay vigilant without being alarmed.