Figures represent annual averages from 2011-2019; Credit: Confused.com

A study by Confused.com has found Luxembourg to be among the European countries with the highest car theft rates, with an average of 142 thefts per 100,000 people each year.

To find which European countries had the highest car theft rate, Confused.com evaluated theft reports across the continent and compared this to each country’s population to find an average number of thefts per 100,000 people (annual averages from 2011 to 2019).

With 142 annual thefts per 100,000 people, Luxembourg had the 10th highest car theft rate across Europe - just 2% behind neighbouring country Belgium who placed ninth.

Italy had the highest car theft rate in Europe, averaging 276 thefts per 100,000 people each year. When compared to countries with a similar population size, this represents 80% more than the United Kingdom (153 thefts per 100,000 people) and 5% more than France (261 thefts per 100,000 people).

With an average of 274 thefts per 100,000 people, Czechia was revealed as the second worst country in Europe for car theft. Despite having a population 84% smaller than Italy, the country had just 0.7% fewer car thefts per 100,000 people each year.

Sweden followed behind Czechia as the third worst country for car theft, with 266 thefts per 100,000 people on average each year. When compared to their Scandinavian neighbours, Sweden experienced 91% more thefts per 100,000 people each year than Finland (139 per 100,000) and 138% more thefts than Norway, who averaged 112 per year.

France came in fourth with 261 annual thefts per 100,000 people. In comparison to their central European neighbours, this represents 267% more thefts each year than Germany (71 per 100,000 people) and 205% more than Switzerland, who placed 14th with 85 thefts per 100,000 people each year.

With just five car thefts per 100,000 people each year, Danish car owners were found to be the least likely to experience a car theft amongst all Europeans. This represents 96% fewer annual car thefts than Luxembourg.

Romania had the second lowest number of car thefts each year on average, with just fourteen per 100,000 people. This was followed by Liechtenstein and Croatia, both averaging 22 thefts per 100,000 people each year, i.e. 84% fewer than Luxembourg.

"Unfortunately car theft takes place every day throughout Europe, therefore it's important that we ensure our cars are safe. By safeguarding our cars with effective security measures, such as steering wheel locks and alarms, we may decrease the risk of theft and a potential claim that may follow", commented Alex Kindred, Car Insurance expert at Confused.com. "Our guide to car safety outlines some of the most effective ways of keeping your car secure. One of our top recommendations is having your car vehicle identification number (VIN) etched on each of the windows, as this means thieves will have to pay to replace the glass. Additionally, when parking your car, leave it in gear with the wheels turned toward the curb. This makes it more difficult for thieves to tow your vehicle. Having these measures in place will not only reduce the risk of your car being stolen but could help in keeping your car insurance costs low too”.