School shootings have become an increasingly harrowing phenomenon in the modern world, with tragic and heartbreaking events occurring in countries across the globe, from the United States to France and from Mexico to India. In some countries, however, school shootings are more common than in other countries, with the United States of America leading the list.
The general causes of school shootings are multifaceted and complex. Psychological issues, such as mental illness and social isolation, are often contributing factors. Easy access to guns and other weapons, as well as a culture of violence, are also prevalent in countries with high rates of school shootings. School shootings’ consequences are devastating and far-reaching, affecting the victims, their families, and the community. The emotional and psychological impact on survivors can be long-lasting; many victims suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. School shootings can also increase fear and anxiety among students, teachers, and parents and decrease school attendance and academic performance.
Country Number of School Shootings
1 United States of America 288
2 Mexico 8
3 South Africa 6
4 India 5
5 Nigeria 4
6 Pakistan 4
7 Afghanistan 3
8 Brazil 2
9 Canada 2
10 France 2
11 Azerbaijan 1
12 Estonia 1
13 Germany 1
14 Greece 1
15 Hungary 1
16 Kenya 1
17 People’s Republic of China 1
18 Russia 1
19 Turkey 1
20 Argentina 0
21 Australia 0
22 Italy 0
23 Japan 0
24 Netherlands 0
25 Spain 0
26 Switzerland 0
27 United Kingdom 0
Countries With Most School Shootings
The countries with the most school shootings are the United States, Mexico, South Africa, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Brazil, Canada, and France.
The country with the most school shootings in the world is the United States of America, with 288 school shootings between 2009 and 2018. Mexico ranks second for the most school shootings and has had eight. South Africa has the third most school shootings worldwide, with 6. India ranks fourth for the most school shootings and has had five. Nigeria is the fifth country with the most school shootings, totaling 4. Pakistan ranks sixth for the most school shootings, with four school shootings. Afghanistan has the seventh most school shootings worldwide, with three school shootings. Brazil ranks eighth for the most school shootings, with two school shootings. Canada ranks ninth for the most school shootings and has had 2. Finally, France is the tenth country with the most school shootings in the world, with a total of 2.
The ten countries with the most school shootings are:
1. The United States of America – 288
2. Mexico – 8
3. South Africa – 6
4. India – 5
5. Nigeria – 4
6. Pakistan – 4
7. Afghanistan – 3
8. Brazil – 2
9. Canada – 2
10. France – 2
Country With Most School Shootings
The United States has the most school shootings worldwide, with 288 between 2009 and 2018. Notable incidents include the 1999 shooting at Columbine High School in Colorado, where two students killed 12 classmates and a teacher before taking their own lives; the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Connecticut that killed 26 people; and the 2018 Parkland High School shooting in Florida that killed 17 individuals. These tragedies have left communities in shock and resulted in the loss of many innocent lives.
The causes of school shootings are complex and multifaceted. Common characteristics of shooters include feelings of social isolation, bullying, and mental illness. Some argue that inadequate gun control laws and easy access to firearms contribute to the frequency and severity of these incidents. Others believe cultural factors such as glorifying violence in media and entertainment contribute to the problem.
School shootings can have significant consequences for society and the law. They can lead to increased school security measures, such as metal detectors and armed guards, and increased public debate about gun control and mental health services. In some cases, school shootings may lead to changes in legislation, such as the 2018 Florida law that raised the minimum age to purchase firearms and allowed for the temporary seizure of firearms from individuals deemed a threat to themselves or others. School shootings also profoundly impact families and communities, causing long-term trauma and grief.
US School Shootings vs. Other Countries
The United States has a significantly higher number of school shootings than any other country. The United States has had 288 school shootings, while the country with the second-highest number of school shootings, Mexico, has had only eight. The reasons behind this disparity are complex and multifaceted. One factor is the easy availability of firearms in the US. Additionally, underlying cultural, social, and psychological factors may contribute to the prevalence of gun violence in the US, including glorifying violence in media and a sense of social isolation and disconnection among some individuals. These factors, combined with a history of mass shootings, have led to a tragic and alarming frequency of school shootings in the US compared to the rest of the world.
School Shooting Statistics by Country
Afghanistan
Number Of School Shootings – 3
Ranked In The World – #7
Afghanistan is the seventh country with the most school shootings worldwide, with three since 2009. These incidents were carried out by extremist groups like the Taliban, who oppose education, particularly for girls.
Argentina
Number Of School Shootings – 0
Ranked In The World – #20
Australia
Number Of School Shootings – 0
Ranked In The World – #21
There have been no school shootings in Australia since 2009. Educational institutions have implemented robust security protocols to protect students from potential acts of violence. Schools now have strong lockdown policies, meaning all exterior doors are locked during school hours, and visitors must be pre-approved before entering a school building. As a result of these measures, Australian schools remain some of the safest places for children and young adults to learn and grow.
Azerbaijan
Number Of School Shootings – 1
Ranked In The World – #11
Azerbaijan is the eleventh country with the most school shootings globally, with one recorded school shooting since 2009. The incident occurred in a high school in Baku in 2009 at the Azerbaijan State Oil Academy (ASOA). The Azerbaijani government has responded by introducing stricter gun control laws and implementing measures to improve school safety.
Brazil
Number Of School Shootings – 2
Ranked In The World – #8
Brazil is the eighth country with the most school shootings worldwide, with two since 2009. In 2011, twelve students were killed when a man entered a school in Realengo and opened fire. This was followed by another incident in 2017 at a private school in Goiânia, where a student killed two of his classmates. Both cases have drawn attention to Brazilian gun laws, which are less strict than in many other countries, and the mental health issues that can lead to such horrifying acts of violence. Brazil’s government has implemented measures such as metal detectors and armed guards in schools to prevent further tragedies.
Canada
Number Of School Shootings – 2
Ranked In The World – #9
Canada is the ninth country with the most school shootings worldwide, with two since 2009. In 2012, a shooting at the University of Alberta left three students dead and another injured. The shooter was an 18-year-old male who had attended the school. In 2016, another school shooting occurred at La Loche Community School in Saskatchewan. This incident left four people dead and seven others injured. These tragic incidents have highlighted the need for increased awareness of mental health issues among young people and better school security systems to help protect students and staff from potential harm.
Estonia
Number Of School Shootings – 1
Ranked In The World – #12
Estonia is the twelfth country with the most school shootings worldwide, with one recorded school shooting since 2009. The incident occurred in a vocational school in Tartu in 2014 and was carried out by a student who had been expelled. The Estonian government has responded by increasing school security measures and providing counseling services to affected students.
France
Number Of School Shootings – 2
Ranked In The World – #10
France is the tenth country with the most school shootings worldwide, with two school shootings since 2009. The first school shooting occurred in March 2012 in Toulouse, where a terrorist attack left four children dead. The second event happened in 2017 when a 16-year-old student opened fire at his high school in Grasse, wounding four people. These two incidents have been traumatic for the entire nation.
Germany
Number Of School Shootings – 1
Ranked In The World – #13
Germany is the thirteenth country with the most school shootings worldwide, with one recorded school shooting since 2009. The incident occurred in Winnednden in March 2009. The shooter, a 17-year-old former student of the Albertville-Realschule, killed nine students and one teacher. In response, the German government took gun control measures.
Greece
Number Of School Shootings – 1
Ranked In The World – #14
Greece is the fourteenth country with the most school shootings worldwide, with one recorded school shooting since 2009. This incident occurred at the OAED Vocational College in Athens in April 2009 and involved a 19-year-old student who fired a gun inside the building, injuring one student. In response, authorities have implemented prevention initiatives and emergency drills to protect students and faculty members should another shooting occur. Additionally, mental health support has been increased within schools, providing resources for those struggling with depression or other psychological challenges that could lead to violent behavior.
Hungary
Number Of School Shootings – 1
Ranked In The World – #15
Hungary is the fifteenth country with the most school shootings worldwide, with one recorded school shooting. In 2009, a gunman opened fire in a private elementary school in Budapest, killing the principal and a teacher. This incident sent shockwaves through the Hungarian educational system and led to increased security measures in schools nationwide, such as metal detectors and heightened surveillance of students.
India
Number Of School Shootings – 5
Ranked In The World – #4
India is the fourth country with the most school shootings worldwide, with five school shootings since 2009. The country’s lax gun control laws and widespread social and economic disparities have contributed to school shootings. The Indian government has introduced stricter gun control measures and is working to improve school safety by providing security training to teachers and students.
Italy
Number Of School Shootings – 0
Ranked In The World – #22
Japan
Number Of School Shootings – 0
Ranked In The World – #23
There have been no school shootings in Japan since 2009. Japan has implemented strong safety measures and efforts to ensure school security. These efforts include the installation of surveillance cameras on school grounds and new regulations regarding firearm ownership. Schools have also implemented bullying prevention programs and mental health screenings for students to increase student safety further.
Kenya
Number Of School Shootings – 1
Ranked In The World – #16
Kenya is the sixteenth country with the most school shootings worldwide, with one recorded school shooting. The incident occurred at the Garissa University College in Garissa in 2015 and was carried out by the terrorist group Al-Shabaab. The Kenyan government has responded by increasing school security measures and launching campaigns to counter terrorism.
Mexico
Number Of School Shootings – 8
Ranked In The World – #2
Mexico is the second country with the most school shootings worldwide, with eight school shootings since 2009. These horrific incidents have occurred in various states and cities, including Torreón and Monterrey. In many cases, former or current students initiated these acts of violence. The victims often included teachers, students, and other staff members of the schools where these terrible events occurred. As a result of these senseless tragedies, Mexican authorities are now trying to implement stricter security measures in educational institutions throughout the nation to help prevent any further school shootings from occurring.
Netherlands
Number Of School Shootings – 0
Ranked In The World – #24
Mexico is the second country with the most school shootings worldwide, with eight school shootings since 2009. These horrific incidents have occurred in various states and cities, including Torreón and Monterrey. In many cases, former or current students initiated these acts of violence. The victims often included teachers, students, and other staff members of the schools where these terrible events occurred. As a result of these senseless tragedies, Mexican authorities are now trying to implement stricter security measures in educational institutions throughout the nation to help prevent any further school shootings from occurring.
Nigeria
Number Of School Shootings – 4
Ranked In The World – #5
Nigeria is the fifth country with the most school shootings globally, with four school shootings since 2009. The country’s ongoing conflict with Boko Haram, a jihadist group that opposes Western education, has led to attacks on schools and the kidnapping of students. The Nigerian government has responded by deploying troops to schools in high-risk areas and improving security measures to prevent further attacks.
Pakistan
Number Of School Shootings – 4
Ranked In The World – #6
Pakistan is the sixth country with the most school shootings globally, with four school shootings since 2009. The country’s ongoing struggle with extremist groups and lax gun control laws has contributed to the prevalence of school shootings. The Pakistani government has responded by introducing stricter gun control measures and providing security training to teachers and students.
People’s Republic Of China
Number Of School Shootings – 1
Ranked In The World – #17
China is the seventeenth country with the most school shootings, with one recorded school shooting since 2009. Following the tragedy, the government has increased security at schools and implemented stricter gun control laws to prevent similar attacks from happening again.
Russia
Number Of School Shootings – 1
Ranked In The World – #18
Russia is the eighteenth country with the most school shootings worldwide, with one recorded school shooting since 2009. The incident occurred in a school in Moscow in 20q4 and was carried out by a high school student. The Russian government has responded by increasing security measures in schools.
South Africa
Number Of School Shootings – 6
Ranked In The World – #3
South Africa is the third country with the most school shootings worldwide, with six school shootings since 2009. Most of these attacks are perpetrated by students who are either member of gangs or have access to guns, and the underlying motives range from robbery to revenge. The government has addressed this issue by introducing several initiatives, such as providing schools with additional security personnel and improving teaching standards.
Spain
Number Of School Shootings – 0
Ranked In The World – #25
There have been no school shootings in Spain since 2009. The government has implemented robust legislation and security measures to prevent such tragedies. These include increased funding for school safety plans and improved surveillance systems. Additionally, Spanish lawmakers have worked to strengthen their cyber-security capabilities and mental health resources available to students and teachers alike. As a result of these efforts, Spain has remained free of any school shooting incidents for over a decade.
Switzerland
Number Of School Shootings – 0
Ranked In The World – #26
Turkey
Number Of School Shootings – 1
Ranked In The World – #19
Turkey is the nineteenth country with the most school shootings worldwide, with one recorded school shooting since 2009. The incident occurred at Osmangazi University in 2018 in the city of Eskisehir. The Turkish government has responded by increasing school security measures and introducing measures to prevent radicalization.
United Kingdom
Number Of School Shootings – 0
Ranked In The World – #27
There were no school shootings in the United Kingdom since 2009. This is primarily attributed to some proactive measures the government and law enforcement agencies took to end firearms-related incidents. Furthermore, research suggests that specific protective strategies implemented within UK schools have made them safer environments for students and staff, such as improved crisis management protocols, better mental health support systems, and enhanced security training for teachers and administrators.
United States Of America
Number Of School Shootings – 288
Ranked In The World – #1
The United States is the country with the most school shootings in the world, with 288 school shootings since 2009. One of the most notorious examples of a school shooting in the United States is the Columbine High School shooting, which occurred on April 20, 1999. Two students opened fire inside the school, killing 13 people and injuring 21 others before taking their own lives. This tragic event shocked the nation and sparked a national conversation about gun control and school safety. The Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, which occurred on December 14, 2012, is another notable event. A 20-year-old gunman, Adam Lanza, entered the school and killed 26 people, including 20 children between six and seven. This horrific event brought renewed attention to gun control laws and mental health issues and led to new policies to prevent future school shootings. One of the most recent events happened at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, in May 2022. An 18-year-old former student entered the school with a semi-automatic rifle and fatally shot nineteen students and two teachers. He was then fatally shot by the United States Border Patrol Tactical Unit members. This was the third-deadliest school shooting after the Virginia Tech Shooting in 2007 (32 people killed) and the Sandy Hook shooting in 2012. The reasons for the high number of school shootings in the United States are complex and multifaceted. Some contributing factors include the easy accessibility of firearms, a culture of violence, mental health issues, and social isolation. The availability of guns in the US is a particularly significant factor, with estimates suggesting that there are more guns in the country than people. There is also a pervasive culture of violence in US media and popular culture, which can desensitize individuals to violent behavior. The government has implemented various measures to mitigate this issue, including increased funding for mental health services, stricter gun control laws, and school safety measures such as metal detectors and security personnel. However, there is an ongoing debate about the most effective ways to prevent school shootings and ensure the safety of students and faculty.
