Prison population rate in Afghanistan
Afghanistan: Prison population rate was 54 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2024. ▲ Rising
Latest (2024)
54 prisoners per 100,000 people
World rank
181st
of 202 countries
All-time high
88 prisoners per 100,000 people
in 2017
All-time low
22 prisoners per 100,000 people
in 2004
Years of data
9
2004–2024
Prison population rate in Afghanistan, 2004–2024
Source: Institute for Crime & Justice Policy Research (2026); Population based on various sources (2024) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in prisoners per 100,000 people.
Analysis
The most recent figure for prison population rate in Afghanistan is 54 prisoners per 100,000 people, measured in 2024.
That represents a change of down 35.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prison population rate in Afghanistan peaked at 88 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2017 and was at its lowest, 22 prisoners per 100,000 people, in 2004.
Afghanistan ranks 181st of 202 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
Prison population rate in Afghanistan, year by year
| Year | prisoners per 100,000 people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 22 prisoners per 100,000 people | — |
| 2006 | 30 prisoners per 100,000 people | +36.4% |
| 2008 | 47 prisoners per 100,000 people | +56.7% |
| 2010 | 65 prisoners per 100,000 people | +38.3% |
| 2012 | 82 prisoners per 100,000 people | +26.2% |
| 2014 | 84 prisoners per 100,000 people | +2.4% |
| 2017 | 88 prisoners per 100,000 people | +4.8% |
| 2020 | 62 prisoners per 100,000 people | -29.5% |
| 2024 | 54 prisoners per 100,000 people | -12.9% |
Afghanistan compared with similar countries
- Afghanistan's 54 prisoners per 100,000 people is below the median for low income countries, which is 55.5 prisoners per 100,000 people, 97% of the median. (18 countries reporting)
- Afghanistan's 54 prisoners per 100,000 people is below the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 160 prisoners per 100,000 people, 34% of the median. (18 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 33 prisoners per 100,000 people | 22 prisoners per 100,000 people | 47 prisoners per 100,000 people | 3 |
| 2010s | 79.75 prisoners per 100,000 people | 65 prisoners per 100,000 people | 88 prisoners per 100,000 people | 4 |
| 2020s | 58 prisoners per 100,000 people | 54 prisoners per 100,000 people | 62 prisoners per 100,000 people | 2 |
Countries ranked near Afghanistan
- 178 Chad 56 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 179 East Timor 55 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 179 Niger 55 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 181 Finland 54 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 181 Norway 54 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 184 Central African Republic 52 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 184 Sierra Leone 52 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 184 Sudan 52 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
More population data for Afghanistan
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.4637 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate 0.2412 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.4637 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.2115 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 74,075 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 2.39 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.2522 % change on previous year (2100)
- World population growth 0.4% (2100)
- Population density 199.65 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 9.03 million people (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prison population rate in Afghanistan?
- Prison population rate in Afghanistan was 54 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2024, according to Institute for Crime & Justice Policy Research (2026); Population based on various sources (2024) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest prison population rate recorded in Afghanistan?
- The highest recorded value was 88 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2017.
- What is the lowest prison population rate recorded in Afghanistan?
- The lowest recorded value was 22 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2004.
- How does Afghanistan rank for prison population rate?
- Afghanistan ranks 181st out of 202 countries with data for 2024.
- Is prison population rate rising or falling in Afghanistan?
- Over the last ten years it is down 35.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Afghanistan data come from?
- The figures come from Institute for Crime & Justice Policy Research (2026); Population based on various sources (2024) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Prison population rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Prison population (including pre-trial detainees and remand prisoners), per 100,000 population.