Prison population rate in Benin
Benin: Prison population rate was 144 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2024. ▲ Rising
Prison population rate in Benin, 1997–2024
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
In 2024, prison population rate in Benin stood at 144 prisoners per 100,000 people. That is the highest value across all 12 years on record.
The figure is up 27.4% on the previous year and up 114.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prison population rate in Benin peaked at 144 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2024 and was at its lowest, 58 prisoners per 100,000 people, in 2002.
Benin ranks 109th of 202 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 12 years of available data.
Prison population rate in Benin, year by year
| Year | prisoners per 100,000 people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 59 prisoners per 100,000 people | — |
| 2000 | 71 prisoners per 100,000 people | +20.3% |
| 2002 | 58 prisoners per 100,000 people | -18.3% |
| 2006 | 69 prisoners per 100,000 people | +19.0% |
| 2008 | 69 prisoners per 100,000 people | +0.0% |
| 2010 | 73 prisoners per 100,000 people | +5.8% |
| 2012 | 72 prisoners per 100,000 people | -1.4% |
| 2014 | 67 prisoners per 100,000 people | -6.9% |
| 2017 | 68 prisoners per 100,000 people | +1.5% |
| 2019 | 80 prisoners per 100,000 people | +17.6% |
| 2021 | 113 prisoners per 100,000 people | +41.2% |
| 2024 | 144 prisoners per 100,000 people | +27.4% |
Benin compared with similar countries
- Benin's 144 prisoners per 100,000 people is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 106 prisoners per 100,000 people, 1.4× the median. (40 countries reporting)
- Benin's 144 prisoners per 100,000 people is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 90 prisoners per 100,000 people, 1.6× the median. (39 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 59 prisoners per 100,000 people | 59 prisoners per 100,000 people | 59 prisoners per 100,000 people | 1 |
| 2000s | 66.75 prisoners per 100,000 people | 58 prisoners per 100,000 people | 71 prisoners per 100,000 people | 4 |
| 2010s | 72 prisoners per 100,000 people | 67 prisoners per 100,000 people | 80 prisoners per 100,000 people | 5 |
| 2020s | 128.5 prisoners per 100,000 people | 113 prisoners per 100,000 people | 144 prisoners per 100,000 people | 2 |
Countries ranked near Benin
- 107 Slovakia 149 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 108 Tajikistan 145 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 110 Brunei 143 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 111 North Macedonia 142 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 112 Lebanon 141 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
More population data for Benin
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.4203 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -4.22 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.4203 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.6566 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 25,264 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 2.48 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.1997 % change on previous year (2100)
- World population growth 0.4% (2100)
- Population density 351.08 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 2.95 million people (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prison population rate in Benin?
- Prison population rate in Benin was 144 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 Benin?
- The highest recorded value was 144 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2024.
- What is the lowest prison population rate recorded in Benin?
- The lowest recorded value was 58 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2002.
- How does Benin rank for prison population rate?
- Benin ranks 109th out of 202 countries with data for 2024.
- Is prison population rate rising or falling in Benin?
- Over the last ten years it is up 114.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Benin 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.