Prison population rate in Botswana
Botswana: Prison population rate was 161 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2022. ▼ Falling
Prison population rate in Botswana, 2000–2022
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
Botswana recorded 161 prisoners per 100,000 people for prison population rate in 2022. That is the lowest value across all 9 years on record.
The figure is down 0.6% on the previous year and down 23.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prison population rate in Botswana peaked at 381 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2000 and was at its lowest, 161 prisoners per 100,000 people, in 2022.
That places Botswana 101st out of 202 countries with data for 2022, putting it in the middle of the range.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 335.75 prisoners per 100,000 people | 314 prisoners per 100,000 people | 381 prisoners per 100,000 people | 4 |
| 2010s | 207.67 prisoners per 100,000 people | 202 prisoners per 100,000 people | 211 prisoners per 100,000 people | 3 |
| 2020s | 161.5 prisoners per 100,000 people | 161 prisoners per 100,000 people | 162 prisoners per 100,000 people | 2 |
Countries ranked near Botswana
- 98 Montenegro 168 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 99 Mongolia 166 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 100 Kazakhstan 163 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 102 Cook Islands 156 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 102 Lithuania 156 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 104 Philippines 151 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
More population data for Botswana
- Population growth rate, by level of development -0.2% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 208,485 people (2100)
- Population density 6.77 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth -0.2% (2100)
- Total fertility rate vs. wanted fertility rate 2.7 births per woman (2024)
- Refugees by country of asylum 816 people (2024)
- Fertility rate vs. unmet need for contraception 2.7 births per woman (2024)
- Total fertility rate vs. contraceptive prevalence 2.7 births per woman (2024)
- Natural population growth rate 1.9% (2023)
- Fertility rate: births per woman 2.73 live births per woman (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prison population rate in Botswana?
- Prison population rate in Botswana was 161 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2022, 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 Botswana?
- The highest recorded value was 381 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2000.
- What is the lowest prison population rate recorded in Botswana?
- The lowest recorded value was 161 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2022.
- How does Botswana rank for prison population rate?
- Botswana ranks 101st out of 202 countries with data for 2022.
- Is prison population rate rising or falling in Botswana?
- Over the last ten years it is down 23.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Botswana 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.