Every third woman in the EU experienced gender-based violence

Around 50 million women aged 18-74 in the EU, or 31%, experienced physical (including threats) or sexual violence in adulthood, based on the EU gender-based violence survey (wave 2021).

When comparing the prevalence of gender-based violence by age group, 35% of women in the youngest age group (aged 18 to 29) reported experiencing gender-based violence, compared with 24% in the oldest age group (aged 65-74).

Data also show that home is not always a safe place for many women. In 2021, 18% of women who had ever had a partner experienced physical or sexual violence by their partner, and if psychological violence is also taken into account, 32% have or have had a violent partner in their lifetime.

Source dataset: gbv_any_age

1 in 8 women have experienced sexual violence, including rape, by a non-partner

Based on the EU gender-based violence survey (wave 2021), 20% of women experienced physical (including threats) or sexual violence by a non-partner, with 9% experiencing degrading or humiliating acts other than rape, another 7% pointing to physical and not sexual violence and 4% having experienced rape.

The percentage of women who said that they had experienced non-partner violence was higher in Finland (47%), Sweden (42%), Denmark (38%), the Netherlands (36%) and Luxembourg (34%). In contrast, Bulgaria (6%), Poland (8%) and Czechia (10%) registered the lowest percentages.

The analysis of non-partner violence by type shows that the greatest differences between EU countries concerning non-partner violence are seen in the prevalence of degrading or humiliating sexual acts other than rape. Values ranged between 24% in Finland and 22% in Sweden and below 2% in Bulgaria, Czechia, and Poland.

Source dataset: gbv_npv_type

This article is based on joint data collection by Eurostat, the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) and the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE).

This article marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, observed every year on 25 November.