Conference Paper
Religious Observance and Criminal Behavior: The Case of Ramadan in Türkiye
No.
ERF32AC_69
Publisher
ERF
Date
May, 2026
Topic
K1. Basic Areas of Law
K4. Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior
C2. Single Equation Models
Ramadan fosters virtues such as patience, self-control, and ethical conduct, which contribute to a reduction in crime rates. This study examines the effect of Ramadan on crime rates in Türkiye, hence testing the aforementioned hypothesis. Our findings indicate a 23% decrease in homicides, a 5% reduction in assaults, and a 65% decline in traffic-related offenses. Nonetheless, we discovered no evidence suggesting that Ramadan affects substance-related drug crimes. Furthermore, we analyze the potential mechanisms underlying these reductions, positing that the observed decreases during Ramadan are due to modifications in individual-level beliefs and behaviors. Alternative mechanisms, including social interactions and physical fatigue, do not significantly contribute to the observed reductions in crime rates during Ramadan. We also observe that the sacred night of Laylat al-Qadr, occurring within the month of Ramadan, significantly influences the reduction of crime rates across nearly all categories of offenses. Additionally, the enduring impact of Ramadan on crime yields ambiguous results.