The Impact of Accession to the European Union on Violent Crime in Lithuania

Research on Russia's transition from a centrally planned to a free market economy indicates that socio-economic adjustment led to increases in violent crime. This study assesses the impact of accession to the European Union on the levels and trends of violent crime in Lithuania using panel data representing Lithuanian municipalities (2001-2006) and fixed effect models. The levels and trends of violent crime in Lithuania are impacted: the levels of violent crime increase, but the subsequent trends are decreasing. However, the decreasing trends in violent crime will not offset the increased levels of violent crime within any short period of time. Consequently, countries considering, or in the process of, economic integration need to be aware of the potential increase in violent crime that may occur.