1 in 2 surveyed Americans said that they have experienced crime in 2022
However, crime is perceived as significantly less problematic in Japan and Taiwan.
2022
State of Global Safety and Security
What makes people feel safe?
As a home security solutions provider, this is a question that we ask ourselves on a daily basis. To better understand the needs of the people that we serve, we initiated our first annual Global Safety & Security Survey in ten countries.
The goal of this report is to provide insights on how people perceive their own sense of safety and the safety of the communities they live in. This entails understanding how cultural differences shape our perception of society. The results of the survey reveal the factors that influence whether a person feels safe or not.
With over 70 million downloads in over 170 countries, AlfredCamera is in a unique position to shed light on how real people feel about safety and security. We have a responsibility to bring diverse voices to you from across the globe.
Methodology
Questionnaire
This survey was conducted among AlfredCamera users from the US, Canada, the UK, Germany, Sweden, Japan, Taiwan, Brazil, Chile, and Mexico. Over 10,000 homeowners and renters were surveyed between September and November 2022. There were 10,801 valid responses provided by a total of 13,005 participants.
The survey consisted of four sections:
- Demographics
- General Safety and Security
- Home and Neighborhood Security
- Home Security Budget & Products
WHOQOL: Measuring Quality of Life
WHO Quality of Life Scale (WHOQOL-100) questionnaire was also referenced in the survey, with five survey questions from WHOQOL (below) incorporated into the first two sections.
- How safe do you feel in your daily life?
- Do you feel you are living in a safe and secure environment?
- How much do you worry about your safety and security?
- How much do you like it where you live?
- How much do you enjoy your free time?
Region Overview
Canadian respondents outperform their American counterparts in terms of confidence in global safety and life enjoyment.
32% of Canadian respondents said that they think the world is dangerous compared to 56% of Americans
71% of Canadian respondents said that they enjoy their free time 'very much' or for 'an extreme amount' compared to 65% in the US
Crime is the most worrying event for both Canadian and American respondents
Perception of World Safety
World safety views vary significantly by country
According to the survey, Japanese people have the highest level of confidence in the world's safety, with more than half of Japanese respondents (54%) believing the world is safe, while Latin American countries have the lowest confidence overall. The US is the only country in the West that’s confidence level doesn’t reach 50%, viewing global safety much more negatively than other more economically developed countries.
Japan has the highest level of confidence in the world's safety
Very safe
Safe
Neither safe nor unsafe
Unsafe
Very unsafe
The US is the only country in the West that’s confidence level doesn’t reach 50%
Crime is the most worrying event
According to the survey, crime is the most significant concern for people in all surveyed countries, except for Germany (war) and Japan (natural disaster).
The perceived crime rate varies greatly by country
The US has the highest crime rate among five surveyed Western countries, so it isn’t surprising that crime is the most worrying event for Americans.
Perception of Safety in the Neighborhood
Similar patterns shown between global safety and neighborhood safety
The image of Japan as one of the safest places to live in the world is reinforced by the survey results. More than half of surveyed respondents (73%) in Japan think that their community is safe, compared to just 52% in the US.
52%
of surveyed Americans believe that their neighborhood is safe
Does safer neighborhood equal higher level of enjoyment?
The survey did not find a clear correlation between neighborhood safety and how much people liked their neighborhood.
Perception of Home Security
How many homes were burglarized in the past year?
If a person's home is burglarized, it’s less likely that they’ll feel safe in it again unless certain measures are taken. Perceptions of security in the home reveals peoples’ needs for home security solutions.
As many as 25% of surveyed Americans said that they have experienced a burglary in the last year, while in Japan the rate was only at 4%. The number was higher in Mexico, suggesting Mexican respondents are particular vulnerable to burglary.
Unsafe neighborhoods creates a stronger motive to improve home security
Perception of Personal Fulfillment
How much do you enjoy your free time?
Ultimately, the goal of security is to ease safety concerns as much as possible. That’s why it’s important to understand how satisfied people feel about their life in general. Does being in a safer environment have a positive impact on personal fulfillment?
Enjoy life 'very much' or for 'an extreme amount'
The lack of confidence in safety has no perceivable impact on American respondents’ ability to enjoy life, indicating that safety level isn’t related to life fulfillment and enjoyment. Instead, cultural reasons may be the key here.
Security products are therefore not catering to personal fulfillment or enjoyment, but instead are used to fulfill a basic need—the need to feel safe.
Conclusion
By conducting this survey, we sought to gain greater insight into consumer’s needs for home and personal safety in different countries, as well as to share our findings with the public. The survey results are useful in showcasing how different regions have different needs when it comes to security. These needs are shaped by each country's unique cultural and historic circumstances.
Uncovering people’s safety and security concerns is not an easy task. It’s not only a complex topic, but people’s views are constantly changing, which is why we’re devoted to providing an annual update on how people’s perception of safety and security shifts as a result of their socioeconomic, political, cultural, and historical experiences.
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