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.