Contents
- Are School Shootings on the Rise Worldwide?
- Overview of School Shootings by Country
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What safety measures is the US taking to reduce the high numbers of school shootings across the country?
- How do countries like Mexico and South Africa address school shootings, given the lower number of incidents reported in comparison to other countries on the list?
- What prevention and safety measures can be learned from countries that report fewer incidents of school shootings?
- Which country has the most school shootings in the world?
Are School Shootings on the Rise Worldwide?
In a world where going to school to get their education should be a home away from home and a sanctuary for young minds, the harsh reality is that the latest rash of school shootings has left an indelible mark in many countries around the world as the number of school shootings appears to be on the rise.
While school shootings occur in even the smallest and most remote countries on earth, it may come as a surprise to learn that the United States holds the number one spot on the global list of school shootings by country.
Recent school shootings in the US have caused policymakers and the community to take a closer look at what is driving these unprovoked and violent incidents in and around America’s classrooms.
Overview of School Shootings by Country
| Country | School Shootings 2009-2018 |
|---|---|
| United States | 288 |
| Mexico | 8 |
| South Africa | 6 |
| Pakistan | 4 |
| Nigeria | 4 |
| Afghanistan | 3 |
| Brazil | 2 |
| France | 2 |
| Canada | 2 |
| China | 1 |
| Russia | 1 |
| Turkey | 1 |
| Germany | 1 |
| Kenya | 1 |
| Azerbaijan | 1 |
| Greece | 1 |
| Hungary | 1 |
| Estonia | 1 |
United States: The US has reported almost 300 school shootings within a decade.
Growing numbers of violent incidents make school shootings one of the most critical public health and safety emergencies for all US residents.
Mexico: While the number of school shootings reported in Mexico is drastically lower than that of the US, families, and communities suffer when school shootings happen here.
South Africa: School shootings are also a tragic reality in faraway countries in South Africa, where students are forced to confront the complexities of violent school shootings in educational institutions where children should be safer from harm.
Pakistan: The number of school shootings in Pakistan is noticeably lower than other countries on the list.
Its low number of shootings doesn’t mean there aren’t severe mental health issues and public safety concerns that arise when these devastating events happen.
Nigeria: According to the table below, Nigeria and Pakistan both reported the same number of school shootings that have left local students and families reconsidering their educational options.
Afghanistan: Surprisingly, the war-torn country of Afghanistan reports lower numbers of school shootings than most of the other countries on the list, with just three incidents reported during the research period.
Brazil: Residents of Brazil find themselves being forced to address issues with violence, mental health, and ease of access to firearms as they reported two school shootings within the reporting time frame.
France: While many people think of France as a peaceful and artistic city filled with historical significance, it hasn’t escaped the devastating effects of school shootings and joins many other countries that struggle with these violent incidents.
Canada: Even though Canada is known for its lower crime rates, this country hasn’t escaped the rash of school shootings that seem to be spreading like wildfire around the world.
China: This country is at the bottom of the list of school shootings by country, as they recently reported one school shooting incident.
China’s strict policies and criminal justice system may have an impact on the lower number of incidents experienced in this region.
Frequently Asked Questions
What safety measures is the US taking to reduce the high numbers of school shootings across the country?
The US is beginning to take cues from countries with lower incidents of school shootings and implementing violence and education programs to teach students and families about violence prevention and conflict resolution strategies.
How do countries like Mexico and South Africa address school shootings, given the lower number of incidents reported in comparison to other countries on the list?
Both Mexico and South Africa are among a group of countries that enforce strict gun control laws, school security measures, and implement community violence education programs.
What prevention and safety measures can be learned from countries that report fewer incidents of school shootings?
Countries with lower numbers of school shooting reports have stricter gun controls and emphasize the importance of early intervention for troubled students who show signs of violence.
Which country has the most school shootings in the world?
The United States tops the list of school shootings with a staggering number that more than doubles school shootings in other countries.
Online reports and data reported by reputable news sources like CNN say the rate of shootings in the US is at least fifty-seven times higher than that of most other countries.
