Prison population per 100,000 — all countries

Prison population per 100,000 — Latin America & Caribbean

Prison population per 100,000 in Latin America & Caribbean in 2018 — 256.7 per 100k. Since 2006, the indicator has risen by 48.1%.

2018 256.7 per 100k −0.69% vs 2016
World rank
Period maximum 258.5 per 100k2016
Period minimum 173.4 per 100k2006

Trend over time

2006–2018 · per 100,000 people

Prison population per 100,000 — Latin America & Caribbean, 2006–201815017520022525027520062008201020122014201620182006: 173.4 per 100k2008: 188 per 100k2010: 201.7 per 100k2012: 227.9 per 100k2014: 244.6 per 100k2016: 258.5 per 100k2018: 256.7 per 100k
Change over the period: +83.3 (+48.06%) Average annual rate: 3.32 %
Prison population per 100,000 — Latin America & Caribbean, by year Latin America & Caribbean All countries CSV XLSX
Year per 100k Change Change, %
2018 256.7
2016 258.5
2014 244.6
2012 227.9
2010 201.7
2008 188
2006 173.4

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.