Relationship between Unemployment & Violence

What this session covered

This international webinar examined whether unemployment bears any relationship to violence. The opening remarks introduced the subject and cautioned that the available empirical evidence does not establish a direct causal link, while noting that studies point to some association — for instance through unemployed young people being drawn towards radical or political organisations, and through domestic violence linked to irregular or lost income. The proceedings comprised these introductory remarks, presentations by two invited speakers, a moderated question-and-answer session with participants from several countries, and closing observations.

The first speaker, drawing on a policing background, argued that unemployment is associated with violence and crime, illustrating the point with a series of industrial and labour-related disturbances and their economic consequences, and suggesting that the pandemic had aggravated the problem. This speaker referred to academic studies said to indicate a statistical correlation between unemployment and several categories of crime — while noting one study that found no such correlation for a particular category — and discussed domestic violence, first-time offenders, the role of police intelligence and community policing, the use of private security as a force multiplier, and the potential of technologies such as surveillance systems, facial recognition and data analytics. The speaker also raised concern about police overwork and instances of police brutality.

The second speaker, from a private-security industry background, expressly approached the question from a different angle, contending that a direct relationship between unemployment and violence is very difficult to establish and that much violence — citing episodes of terrorism, political and ideological unrest and organised crime — is carried out by people who are not unemployed, including the highly educated. This speaker discussed broader social changes said to drive violence and the case for a regulated public–private partnership in security provision. In the question-and-answer session the speakers addressed government skilling and employment schemes, the outsourcing of airport security to private companies, the handling of disruption at airports, and the most demanding episodes of their respective careers. Closing remarks noted that both speakers had questioned any direct link between unemployment and violence, while suggesting that crime may be related to unemployment to a greater extent, and observed that some labour unrest had involved workers who were already employed.

Key points raised

• The webinar examined whether unemployment is related to violence, a question the discussion repeatedly noted lacks firm empirical proof of a direct causal link.
• One speaker, from a policing background, presented industrial and labour disturbances and cited academic studies to argue for a correlation between unemployment and several categories of crime.
• A second speaker, from the private-security sector, argued that the relationship is hard to establish and that much violence is committed by people who are not unemployed, including the highly educated.
• Both presentations discussed the role of private security, its coordination with public law enforcement, and the use of intelligence and technology.
• The question-and-answer session covered government skilling schemes, the outsourcing of airport security, and challenges the speakers had faced in their careers.
• Closing remarks distinguished between violence and crime, suggesting crime may be more closely related to unemployment than violence.