The United States has gained global recognition for its disproportionately high number of serial killers, accounting for 66.2% of known cases. This puts it at the top of the list, producing three times more perpetrators compared to any other country relative to its population. Following the USA in total serial killers are Russia, the United Kingdom, Japan, South Africa, and India. According to reports, 95 countries have documented at least one serial killer case.
Detailed accounts of the top 10 countries with the highest prevalence of serial killers are presented, shedding light on some of their most atrocious perpetrators. The prevalence of serial killers in the United States appears to be influenced in part by aggressive law enforcement and heavy media coverage, which can lead to a copy-cat effect in other cases.
Geographically massive Russia has endured 196 serial killers. Among the most infamous is Andrei Chikatilo, known as the “Butcher of Rostov,” who brutally murdered at least 50 women and children between 1978 and 1990. Another noteworthy case is that of Alexander Pichushkin, dubbed the “Chessboard Killer,” who aimed to fill the 64 squares of a chessboard with that amount of murders.
In the United Kingdom, where 190 serial killers have been recorded, the Western fascination with the personality of serial killers arguably began in the 1800s. Notable cases include those of Jack the Ripper and Harold Shipman.
Japan, with 137 recorded serial killers, has seen shocking cases like that of Tsutomu Miyazaki, known as the “Otaku Murderer,” who targeted young girls between 1988 and 1989. In South Africa, political and racial strife have been linked to a surge in serial killings, with predators indulging themselves amid social chaos.
India has endured 121 serial killers, with cases stretching back to the 19th century. Notable among these is Thug Behram, believed to have been the world’s most prolific serial killer at the time.
Canada, Italy, Germany, and Australia have also experienced their own share of serial killer cases, with significant numbers reported in each country.
The data, gathered from Radford University, offers a comprehensive look at the prevalence of serial killers across the world, shedding light on the unique challenges posed by these individuals in different societies.