This map layer shows the estimated number of civilian small arms and light weapons (SALW) per country in reference to 100 inhabitants, grouped into five categories for the year 2017.
Worldwide, there are an estimated 1 billion SALW. The margin of error of these estimates, however, is very high, as the production of and trade in SALW are highly opaque. While individually, SALW cannot compete with the destructive power of weapons of mass destruction, as a whole, they are highly destructive: An estimated 50,000 to 100,000 people are 'direct' victims of SALW every year; added to this must be the 'collateral deaths', about twice as many. Various characteristics of SALW contribute to this: SALW are relatively cheap and easily available; SALW can be hidden and smuggled easily; SALW are resistant against dirt and corrosion, extremely easy to maintain and have a long service life—even after many decades, they can still be operational.
Homicides committed by small arms as per 100,000 inhabitants, top 5
This figure shows the five countries with the highest numbers of homicides committed by small arms for 2013.
Sources: UNODC 2014
SALW as per 100 inhabitants, top 5
This figure shows the five countries with the largest numbers of SALW per 100 inhabitants for the year 2017.
Sources: Small Arms Survey 2018
© picture-alliance / Lehtikuva
Small arms and light weapons - The real weapons of mass destruction
Small arms and light weapons (SALW) are not weapons of mass destruction per definition, as this term is solely used for chemical, biological and nuclear major weapons.
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© picture-alliance / dpa
Case study - Small arms and light weapons in Germany
Legislation on small arms control in Germany differentiates between military arms on the one hand and all other arms, such as arms for hunting and sport shooting on the other. Military arms are weapons that are designed and manufactured for use in military action, such as fully automatic assault rifles.
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