Prison population per 100,000 — all countries

Prison population per 100,000 — High-income countries

Prison population per 100,000 in high-income countries in 2020 — 241.6 per 100k. Since 2000, the indicator has fallen by 25.5%.

2020 241.6 per 100k −15.34% vs 2018
World rank —
Period maximum 347.3 per 100k2010
Period minimum 241.6 per 100k2020

Trend over time

2000–2020 · per 100,000 people

Prison population per 100,000 — High-income countries, 2000–2020200250300350200020022004200620082010201220142016201820202000: 324.4 per 100k2002: 325.1 per 100k2004: 326.2 per 100k2006: 330.7 per 100k2008: 338.5 per 100k2010: 347.3 per 100k2012: 330.3 per 100k2014: 305.8 per 100k2016: 296.5 per 100k2018: 285.4 per 100k2020: 241.6 per 100k
Change over the period: −82.8 (−25.52%) Average annual rate: -1.46 %
Prison population per 100,000 — High-income countries, by year High-income countries All countries CSV XLSX
Year per 100k Change Change, %
2020 241.6 — —
2018 285.4 — —
2016 296.5 — —
2014 305.8 — —
2012 330.3 — —
2010 347.3 — —
2008 338.5 — —
2006 330.7 — —
2004 326.2 — —
2002 325.1 — —
2000 324.4 — —

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.