Prison population per 100,000 in South Africa in 2025 — 260 per 100k. Ranked 13 in the world out of 54. Since 2000, the indicator has fallen by 34%.
2000–2025 · per 100,000 people
How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: South Africa
| Year | per 100k | Change | Change, % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 260 | — | — |
| 2020 | 259 | — | — |
| 2018 | 286 | — | — |
| 2016 | 291 | — | — |
| 2014 | 288 | — | — |
| 2012 | 310 | — | — |
| 2010 | 328 | — | — |
| 2008 | 342 | — | — |
| 2006 | 318 | — | — |
| 2004 | 403 | — | — |
| 2002 | 396 | — | — |
| 2000 | 394 | — | — |
The same indicator for neighboring countries — with links to their pages
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.
How many people places of detention are designed for. Set against the number of prisoners, it shows overcrowding.
Crime Intentional homicidesThe number of intentional homicides per 100,000 people.
Crime Number of intentional homicidesHow many people become victims of intentional homicide in a year — in absolute numbers, from UNODC.
Crime Homicides: male victimsHow many men are killed by intentional homicide in a year. In most countries this is four victims out of five.
Crime Homicides: female victimsHow many women are killed by intentional homicide in a year — an indicator customarily viewed apart from the total.
Crime Homicides of men per 100,000The homicide rate among men — how many victims there are per 100,000 men.
