| dc.description.abstract | The homicide rate in Brazil recorded a significant number of occurrences in the last decade, and Rio Grande do Norte (RN) led the growth in the states of the country, with a greater evolution of homicide rates. In order to explain how growth is sought, it is the case of theories that study crime. The present work had as general objective to analyze the socioeconomic determinants of homicide rate in Rio Grande do Norte. For this purpose, the evolution of homicide rates in the years 2000, 2010 and 2017 in the counties of RN was analyzed, through a comparison between these years. In addition, socioeconomic variables explaining the homicide rate, cross-sectional data for the year 2010 and 167 counties in the state were selected in the light of the Economic Crime literature. The methodology used in this work is the analysis of descriptive statistics and the application of a linear regression model, using Ordinary Least Squares (OLS). The variables used were the homicide rate (MTH), the unemployment rate (TD), the GINI index (GINI), the illiteracy rate (TA), the GDP per capita (PIBper) or the value of the benefits of the “Bolsa Família” Program (VBPBF) and Public expenditure on national security (DPSN). The results obtained showed the 15 counties with the highest homicide rates, where 6 of these are located in the region of Sertão do Apodi. When comparing homicide rates in different years (2000, 2010 and 2017), there was an increase in homicide rates in these counties. When observing as too many variables in the year 2010, it is possible to apply a high dispersion of the average GDP per capita among the municipalities of the state. In addition, it was found that public expenditure on national security is concentrated in the capital of RN. Regarding the economic model, considered a cross-section, whose dependent variable was MTH and explanatory variables were TD, GINI, TA, PIBper, VBPBF and a dummy variable for a region of the Sertão do Apodi. The results show that the model as a whole was statistically significant. There was a statistically positive relationship at the level of 5% between MTH and GINI, and MTH and PIBper, calculating the greater the income inequality, the higher the homicide rate, ceteris paribus. Finally, it was found that there are significant homicide rates among the municipalities located in the region of Sertão do Apodi and other counties. | |
