ABSTRACT
In the recent years scientists have paid attention to individual victimization and fear of crime and their relationship to subjective wellbeing, though the effect of crime at a country level is still generally overlooked. Using data from the European Social Survey and other relevant sources, this chapter reviews existing evidence and assesses the relationship between subjective wellbeing (SWB) and individual and country-level crime-related factors. While the direct relationship between SWB and individual victimization proves rather weak, the effect of fear of crime and perceived unsafety on SWB is consistent and likely mediates the victimization-SWB link. Similarly, at a country level, neither low crime rates nor repressive criminal policies necessarily translate into higher SWB. Conversely, trust in the police and legal system appears to be a crucial factor in enhancing SWB in European countries.
