Prison population per 100,000 — all countries

Prison population per 100,000 — Southern Africa

Prison population per 100,000 in Southern Africa in 2025 — 257.1 per 100k. Since 2000, the indicator has fallen by 31.8%.

2025 257.1 per 100k −8.99% vs 2016
World rank
Period maximum 383.1 per 100k2002
Period minimum 257.1 per 100k2025

Trend over time

2000–2025 · per 100,000 people

Prison population per 100,000 — Southern Africa, 2000–20252503003504002000200320062009201220152018202120242000: 376.8 per 100k2002: 383.1 per 100k2004: 382.5 per 100k2006: 309.5 per 100k2008: 331.9 per 100k2010: 315.7 per 100k2012: 300 per 100k2014: 278.4 per 100k2016: 282.4 per 100k2025: 257.1 per 100k
Change over the period: −119.8 (−31.78%) Average annual rate: -1.52 %
Prison population per 100,000 — Southern Africa, by year Southern Africa All countries CSV XLSX
Year per 100k Change Change, %
2025 257.1
2016 282.4
2014 278.4
2012 300
2010 315.7
2008 331.9
2006 309.5
2004 382.5
2002 383.1
2000 376.8

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.