Trends in Inequality and Violent Crime: A Comparative Analysis of Majority and Minority Communities

• In Event: Socioeconomic Status and Inequality Effects on Crime

Abstract

Objectives. Previous research has established a positive relationship between economic inequality and crime rates. However, existing literature is limited in two key aspects: (1) reliance on static socio-economic indicators, overlooking the dynamic nature of inequality, and (2) lack of clarity on whether inequality affects minority and majority groups differently. This study addresses these gaps by analyzing the relationship between economic inequality and crime among Jewish and Arab communities in Israel.
Methods. We use longitudinal data from 192 localities in Israel over 6 years. A random-effects regression model was applied to examine the relationship between changes in economic inequality and serious violence rates. Additionally, an interaction term was included to assess whether this relationship differs between Jewish, Arab, and mixed localities.
Results. We found no overall significant effect of changes in economic inequality on serious crime rates. However, the impact varied by locality type: in Arab localities, rising inequality was linked to higher violence rates, while in Jewish localities, it corresponded to a slight but significant decline.
Conclusions. The findings suggest that growing economic disparities disproportionately impact minority communities, potentially exacerbating social and economic stressors that contribute to higher levels of serious crime.

Authors

• Badi Hasisi, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

• Eran Itskovich, University of Cambridge