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.