Prison population rate in Barbados
Barbados: Prison population rate was 240 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2023. ▼ Falling
Prison population rate in Barbados, 2000–2023
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 Barbados is 240 prisoners per 100,000 people, measured in 2023. That is the lowest value across all 11 years on record.
The figure is down 34.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prison population rate in Barbados peaked at 527 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2000 and was at its lowest, 240 prisoners per 100,000 people, in 2023.
That places Barbados 59th out of 202 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 11 years of available data.
Prison population rate in Barbados, year by year
| Year | prisoners per 100,000 people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 527 prisoners per 100,000 people | — |
| 2003 | 366 prisoners per 100,000 people | -30.6% |
| 2005 | 365 prisoners per 100,000 people | -0.3% |
| 2007 | 365 prisoners per 100,000 people | +0.0% |
| 2008 | 376 prisoners per 100,000 people | +3.0% |
| 2010 | 322 prisoners per 100,000 people | -14.4% |
| 2012 | 368 prisoners per 100,000 people | +14.3% |
| 2014 | 299 prisoners per 100,000 people | -18.8% |
| 2016 | 319 prisoners per 100,000 people | +6.7% |
| 2018 | 296 prisoners per 100,000 people | -7.2% |
| 2023 | 240 prisoners per 100,000 people | -18.9% |
Barbados compared with similar countries
- Barbados's 240 prisoners per 100,000 people is above the median for high income countries, which is 172.5 prisoners per 100,000 people, 1.4× the median. (80 countries reporting)
- Barbados's 240 prisoners per 100,000 people is below the median for Latin America & Caribbean, which is 280 prisoners per 100,000 people, 86% of the median. (39 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 399.8 prisoners per 100,000 people | 365 prisoners per 100,000 people | 527 prisoners per 100,000 people | 5 |
| 2010s | 320.8 prisoners per 100,000 people | 296 prisoners per 100,000 people | 368 prisoners per 100,000 people | 5 |
| 2020s | 240 prisoners per 100,000 people | 240 prisoners per 100,000 people | 240 prisoners per 100,000 people | 1 |
Countries ranked near Barbados
- 56 Fiji 248 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 57 Guadeloupe 247 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 58 Malaysia 244 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 59 Anguilla 240 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 61 Bahrain 234 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 62 Aruba 233 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
More population data for Barbados
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -0.7043 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -4.04 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -0.7043 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.6177 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 267.79 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population -0.0106 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.9003 % change on previous year (2100)
- World population growth -0.7% (2100)
- Population density 452.82 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 8,035 people (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prison population rate in Barbados?
- Prison population rate in Barbados was 240 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2023, 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 Barbados?
- The highest recorded value was 527 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2000.
- What is the lowest prison population rate recorded in Barbados?
- The lowest recorded value was 240 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2023.
- How does Barbados rank for prison population rate?
- Barbados ranks 59th out of 202 countries with data for 2023.
- Is prison population rate rising or falling in Barbados?
- Over the last ten years it is down 34.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Barbados 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.