Self-reported offending
Since 2023, we have been using a new 2.0 version of the Self-Reported Juvenile Delinquency Monitor (MZJ). In this self-report measurement, a random sample of juveniles between the ages of 10 and 23 from the Dutch population are asked online about their delinquent behavior. This new method is more future-proof and allows for multiple and more frequent measurements. It does result in a methodological break with the 1.0 version of the questionnaire, which was administered between 2005 and 2020. As a result, we only report on the results from 2023. The self-report monitor is a supplement to the crime registered by the police and the judiciary, the limitation of which is that a significant portion of the crimes committed and perpetrators are not identified by the police and the judiciary. The monitor mainly concerns minor and common offenses that are rarely or not prosecuted due to their low severity.
Last update: September 2024
On the one hand, the monitor provides insight into the prevalence of crimes in 2023 and, on the other hand, insight into characteristics relating to the individual, family, friends, school and/or work situation.
Self-reported offenses are lowest among those under 12
In 2023, 13% of 10 to 12 year olds say they have committed a traditional offense in the past twelve months. That is less than the other age groups. Violent crimes (8.8%) were most commonly reported, followed by property crimes (3.7%) and cybercrime (3%). This usually involved hitting without injury, stealing at school, or logging into someone's account without permission. Gun ownership was rarely reported (0.7%).
There were no differences in prevalence of self-reported offending by country of origin, household income, degree of urbanization or part of the country. More boys than girls reported an offense and more children from a single-parent family than children from other family compositions. Under-12s of European origin reported cybercrime more often than those of Dutch or non-European origin.
Minors mostly self-report engagement in violent offenses and online offenses
Nearly 17% of minors (12 to 18 year olds) indicate that they have committed a traditional crime. Violent crimes (9.4%) and online crimes (9.1%), especially cybercrime (7%), were the most reported. Drug offenses (0.6%) and serious cybercrime, such as sending a virus (0.2%), were rarely reported. Gun ownership was reported by 1.8% of minors.
More boys than girls reported engagement in offending behavior, except for shoplifting. Minors of Dutch origin reported a crime slightly more often than those of European or non-European background. Self-reported offending hardly differed by degree of urbanization or part of the country.
The graphs below show the percentages of traditional, cyber and digitalized crimes among 10 to 12 year olds, 12 to 18 year olds and 18 to 23 year olds.
Percentage of self-reported traditional offending among 10 to 23 year olds
| | 10-12 | 12-18 | 18-23 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional total | 12,7 | 16,5 | 14,1 |
| Violence | 8,8 | 9,4 | 4,7 |
| Property | 3,7 | 6,6 | 6,4 |
| Vandalism | 2,1 | 4,1 | 2,2 |
| Drug trafficking | 0,6 | 1,7 | |
| Possession of weapons | 0,7 | 1,8 | 2,8 |
Percentage of self-reported online perpetration among 10 to 23 year olds
| | 10-12 | 12-18 | 18-23 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online total | 4,2 | 9,1 | 7,2 |
| Cybercrime | 3,6 | 7 | 5,1 |
| Digitized crime | 0,8 | 3,2 | 2,8 |
Fewer adolescents self-report traditional crime
In 2023, 17% of 18 to 23 year olds (adolescents) report a crime. Property crimes were the most common (6.4%), followed by cybercrime (5.1%) and violence (4.7%). Drug sales were reported least often (1.7%). The percentages were higher than in the younger groups. Gun ownership was reported by only 2.8%.
Young adult men were more likely to report offending behavior than women, except for gun ownership and cybercrime, where the prevalence is equal in both sexes. Adolescents with a Dutch or European origin reported more offenses than those from non-European countries, especially in property crimes, violence and cybercrime. There were no differences in vandalism, gun ownership, drug sales or digitized crime. There were hardly any differences by socio-economic status, household type, household income, degree of urbanization or part of the country.
Percentage of juveniles reporting a crime in 2023 is more than 10 times the proportion of registered offenders
There are clear differences between self-reported offending and suspects or criminal offenders registered by the police or the judiciary. This can largely be explained by the fact that self-reporting predominantly measures minor and common offenses that will often not lead to investigation or prosecution, due to the minor seriousness of the offences. Data based on police and judiciary registrations predominantly concern the more serious offences, but a considerable part of these are also not solved.
In 2023, the percentage of minors and adolescents reporting an offense will be ten times higher than the percentage that was reported to the police as a suspect. Of the minors, 18% report one or more offences in the past year, mainly involving violence and cyber offences. Among adolescents, 15% report one or more offences (excluding adult offences), mainly involving property violence and cyber offences. Drug offenses (including sales) and possession of weapons are reported relatively rarely, both among minors and adolescents, but approximately 0.6-1.6% still report drug sales and 1.8-2.8% possession or use of weapons.
Smaller differences between population groups based on self-report data than registered suspect data
Differences between the sexes as shown in registered juvenile suspect or conviction data is much smaller on the basis of self-reporting and, depending on age or type of offense, sometimes even absent. This also applies when broken down by household income (SES) or juveniles of different origins. Self-reporting also shows little geographical variation (by degree of urbanisation or region) where these are present in police registrations.
A more nuanced picture of trends and developments in juvenile crime
The self-reported offending of juvenile crime only provides part of the actual juvenile crime picture. Many of these crimes go unnoticed by the police and other criminal justice system actors. Moreover, juveniles generally report committing less severe and more common types of offenses. A more nuanced picture of the developments in juvenile crime based on a variety of sources is provided in the full Juvenile Crime Monitor.
Fall 2026: new results on self-reported offending
In 2025, juveniles will once again be surveyed on their offending behavior in the previous year. The results of this self-reported offending measurement will follow in 2026.