Young people who have been imprisoned or committed serious crimes face a mortality rate six to eleven times higher than their peers, according to a knowledge summary published by the Norwegian Centre for Violence and Traumatic Stress Studies (NKVTS) and ordered by the Norwegian Directorate of Health.
Key Findings on Youth Crime and Early Mortality
The NKVTS report reviews register studies from Nordic countries and other nations with legal and welfare systems comparable to Norway. Researchers searched systematically for literature published between 2000 and August 29, 2026, using 21 publications from 16 study groups in Sweden, Australia, Denmark, Finland, Estonia, and Scotland. US studies were excluded due to differing legal, health, and welfare systems.
Did You Know? A large Australian study cited in the report followed participants until they reached approximately age 40, revealing that 57 percent of the registered deaths among young offenders occurred before they turned 25.
Health Risks and Preventable Causes of Death
Martin Sjøly, a specialist psychologist at the Norwegian Directorate of Health, states that the findings indicate youth crime is not solely a crime problem, but also a health problem. Common causes of death include suicide, overdoses, accidents, and homicides, with substance abuse and mental disorders strongly linked to early mortality.
Sjøly points out that many of these young individuals struggle with combined challenges involving mental health, substance use, school, and living conditions. In comparable international findings cited by the Directorate of Health, injuries and accidents emerge as the most frequent causes of death, with overdoses and suicides heavily overrepresented.
Debate and Preventive Measures in Norway
Although the knowledge summary does not rely on Norwegian register data, Sjøly maintains that the findings correspond across multiple countries and should be taken seriously in Norway.
Senior researcher Ingeborg Skjærvø at NKVTS emphasizes that follow-up must begin early and continue after a sentence is completed, focusing on school, work, housing, family conditions, and healthcare access. The Norwegian government proposed strengthening efforts against youth crime by 119,8 million to a total of 800 million kroner in the 2027 state budget, following a 2025 Office of the Auditor General conclusion that past administrative efforts were insufficient.
Identify Preventable Causes of Elevated Mortality Rates Among Young Offenders
What caused the elevated mortality rates among young offenders?
Researchers identified preventable causes such as suicide, overdoses, accidents, and homicides as major drivers, with substance abuse and mental disorders strongly associated with early death.
Which groups experienced the highest relative increase in mortality?
Mortality was highest among youth with repeated offenses, violent crimes, or imprisonment, while several studies also noted a larger relative increase in mortality among girls involved in crime compared to female peers, though those figures involved fewer total cases.
Are there direct Norwegian studies confirming these mortality figures?
No direct Norwegian study has examined this topic using domestic data, meaning the figures must be interpreted with caution in a Norwegian context while researchers seek to examine local register data.
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