Same number of crashes, more attention. Fatal accidents are exceedingly rare in the US, more common abroad. On a per flight hour basis, it’s as safe or safer than ever. I think near misses as far as mid-air’s and minor incidents are getting more attention as well, but in my experience the frequency is the same. Much more attention is being given to near-misses now in particular after the Potomac mid-air…but trust me, those happen on a regular (if infrequent) basis and the only people who ever know are the pilots, company, and FAA.
I have noticed a decline in experience level, but not in quality (yet.) Where I work, performance and judgement at a certain level is required or you don’t fly, and that is tested every 9 months. Other airlines and especially other countries are different of course. The Middle East carriers probably spend double the money and time than what we do, on training and proficiency, but their pilots are generally less experienced and have a narrower background. Africa, South America or SE Asia? I probably wouldn’t take my family on.