Prison population per 100,000 — all countries

Prison population per 100,000 — High-income countries

Prison population per 100,000 in high-income countries in 2020 — 241.6 per 100k. Since 2000, the indicator has fallen by 25.5%.

2020 241.6 per 100k −15.34% vs 2018
World rank
Period maximum 347.3 per 100k2010
Period minimum 241.6 per 100k2020

Trend over time

2000–2020 · per 100,000 people

Prison population per 100,000 — High-income countries, 2000–2020200250300350200020022004200620082010201220142016201820202000: 324.4 per 100k2002: 325.1 per 100k2004: 326.2 per 100k2006: 330.7 per 100k2008: 338.5 per 100k2010: 347.3 per 100k2012: 330.3 per 100k2014: 305.8 per 100k2016: 296.5 per 100k2018: 285.4 per 100k2020: 241.6 per 100k
Change over the period: −82.8 (−25.52%) Average annual rate: -1.46 %
Prison population per 100,000 — High-income countries, by year High-income countries All countries CSV XLSX
Year per 100k Change Change, %
2020 241.6
2018 285.4
2016 296.5
2014 305.8
2012 330.3
2010 347.3
2008 338.5
2006 330.7
2004 326.2
2002 325.1
2000 324.4

About the indicator

The number of persons held in correctional institutions and pretrial detention facilities per 100,000 people. The indicator covers both the convicted and those under investigation — in a number of countries the second group makes up more than half. UNODC data, collected from national prison services.

Important: The indicator does not measure the level of crime. A high value is just as likely to reflect harsh judicial practice as an actual crime problem.

Source: UNODC Crime Statistics, license UN data: free to use with attribution.