The majority of research on the link between unemployment and criminal behavior has been inconsistent and contradictory. This essay will analyze current studies that have examined this relationship and attempt to summarize the strength between the two. Any relationship between unemployment and criminal behavior poses numerous methodological problems. There are limitations to statistics regarding their accuracy in both areas. Not all crimes are recorded and crime statistics are widely disputed as incorrect. There are various reasons for this, such as the bleak crime figure, unreported crimes and low understanding of crimes among the population. There are a variety of different definitions and figures for unemployment, which means it can be difficult to interpret. Both datasets are considered “defective”. One way to study the link between unemployment and criminal behavior is to look at the number of incarcerated people who were employed before their conviction. However, many factors can interfere with the imprisonment of the unemployed. For example, the police may target the unemployed because they are more likely to end up on the streets. It is estimated that young people and the unemployed are more likely to become criminals. Areas characterized by high unemployment may also be considered “problem areas”. A defendant's employment status may affect decisions made in the criminal justice process, i.e. courts may defer sentencing against an employee; thus interfering with the statistics collected. Studies have been done comparing economic depression and prosperity. The rationale for these studies is that crime rates are expected to increase during times of economic crisis... middle of paper...... misleading. The increase in casual, insecure and low-income employment is also important. Unemployment also has a different impact on different groups – the key issue when it comes to crime could well be, for example, the youth unemployment rate. This draws attention to other indicators such as low income and income inequality. In general, many think and say that unemployment will lead to criminal behavior in order to survive economically in today's society. It was also hypothesized that unemployment would be likely to increase anomie among the unemployed linked to criminal behavior. Constraints theory suggests that when societal values ​​encourage expectations and aspirations that are blocked for certain groups by structural constraints, those groups will turn to criminal behavior to meet those expectations and aspirations..