Does Wealth Decrease Victimization in Property Crime?: Evidence from Thailand
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Abstract
The relationship between wealth and property crime victimization remains debated in criminological research. This study examines this relationship using data from Thailand’s Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS) conducted in 2019 and 2022. While the MICS wealth index serves as the primary measure, potential endogeneity issues arise from unobserved factors, such as security investments in wealthier areas. To address this, the study employs an instrumental variable Probit (IV-Probit) model. The results reveal a negative association between wealth and property crime victimization in Thailand, contradicting conventional economic theory, which assumes wealthier individuals are more attractive crime targets. This unexpected finding suggests that enhanced security measures among affluent households may effectively deter criminal activity. The study contributes to the literature by overcoming methodological limitations of past research and providing evidence-based insights for targeted crime prevention policies. Policymakers may consider strengthening security infrastructure in lower-income areas to mitigate disparities in victimization risk.
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