Prison population per 100,000 — all countries

Prison population per 100,000 — Upper-middle-income countries

Prison population per 100,000 in upper-middle-income countries in 2018 — 171.5 per 100k. Since 2000, the indicator has risen by 37.2%.

2018 171.5 per 100k −23.41% vs 2016
World rank
Period maximum 223.9 per 100k2016
Period minimum 125 per 100k2000

Trend over time

2000–2018 · per 100,000 people

Prison population per 100,000 — Upper-middle-income countries, 2000–201812515017520022520002002200420062008201020122014201620182000: 125 per 100k2002: 132.8 per 100k2004: 134.2 per 100k2006: 134.7 per 100k2008: 143.2 per 100k2010: 146.4 per 100k2012: 152.4 per 100k2014: 157.9 per 100k2016: 223.9 per 100k2018: 171.5 per 100k
Change over the period: +46.5 (+37.19%) Average annual rate: 1.77 %
Prison population per 100,000 — Upper-middle-income countries, by year Upper-middle-income countries All countries CSV XLSX
Year per 100k Change Change, %
2018 171.5
2016 223.9
2014 157.9
2012 152.4
2010 146.4
2008 143.2
2006 134.7
2004 134.2
2002 132.8
2000 125

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.