In spring 2021, Europol published its assessment on organized crime, covering trends from the previous year and, in some cases, from longer periods. The report reached the general conclusion that organized crime continues to pose a serious threat to European societies, undermining peaceful community life and causing significant financial damage both to the European Union as a whole and to its individual member states.
Over the past year, criminal networks exploited changes and adapted their illicit activities to the crisis environment. The medium- and long-term consequences of the pandemic are expected to further increase vulnerabilities. The protracted global health crisis is placing heavy burdens on both the European and global economies. It can be forecasted that economic problems—accompanied by rising poverty and social inequality—will provide fertile ground for organized crime.
This analysis summarizes the key general findings of the report, outlines the main characteristics of crimes committed by organized criminal groups, and highlights the most important trends shaping the future of organized crime.
