Prison population per 100,000 — all countries

Prison population per 100,000 — OECD

Prison population per 100,000 in the OECD in 2022 — 154.5 per 100k. Since 2000, the indicator has fallen by 37.4%.

2022 154.5 per 100k −31.95% vs 2020
World rank
Period maximum 290.7 per 100k2010
Period minimum 154.5 per 100k2022

Trend over time

2000–2022 · per 100,000 people

Prison population per 100,000 — OECD, 2000–2022150200250300200020032006200920122015201820212000: 246.6 per 100k2002: 256.3 per 100k2004: 267.8 per 100k2006: 276.3 per 100k2008: 282.9 per 100k2010: 290.7 per 100k2012: 289 per 100k2014: 276 per 100k2016: 268.3 per 100k2018: 264.9 per 100k2020: 227 per 100k2022: 154.5 per 100k
Change over the period: −92.1 (−37.36%) Average annual rate: -2.1 %
Prison population per 100,000 — OECD, by year OECD All countries CSV XLSX
Year per 100k Change Change, %
2022 154.5
2020 227
2018 264.9
2016 268.3
2014 276
2012 289
2010 290.7
2008 282.9
2006 276.3
2004 267.8
2002 256.3
2000 246.6

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.