Understanding Victimization: The Case of Mozambique

This paper analyzes how different economic characteristics at the individual, household and community level affect the risk of victimization, controlling for the impact of (non-economic) sociological factors. We use a nation wide household survey from Mozambique and show that the probability of being victimized is increasing in income, but at a diminishing rate. At the same time, poorer households are vulnerable. While less at risk of victimization, they tend to suffer relatively greater losses when such shocks occur. Economic development and reduction in victimization go hand in hand, and lower inequality and increased employment appear as effective means of combating crime.