Prison population rate in Cameroon
Cameroon: Prison population rate was 118 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2024. ▬ Flat
Prison population rate in Cameroon, 2002–2024
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 Cameroon stood at 118 prisoners per 100,000 people.
The figure is up 0.9% on the previous year and up 2.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prison population rate in Cameroon peaked at 127 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2005 and was at its lowest, 112 prisoners per 100,000 people, in 2011.
Cameroon ranks 130th of 202 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 120 prisoners per 100,000 people | 115 prisoners per 100,000 people | 127 prisoners per 100,000 people | 5 |
| 2010s | 117.6 prisoners per 100,000 people | 112 prisoners per 100,000 people | 124 prisoners per 100,000 people | 5 |
| 2020s | 117.5 prisoners per 100,000 people | 117 prisoners per 100,000 people | 118 prisoners per 100,000 people | 2 |
Countries ranked near Cameroon
More population data for Cameroon
- Population growth rate, by level of development 0.6% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 6.42 million people (2100)
- Population density 188.01 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth 0.6% (2100)
- Total fertility rate vs. wanted fertility rate 4.26 births per woman (2024)
- Refugees by country of asylum 427,706 people (2024)
- Fertility rate vs. unmet need for contraception 4.26 births per woman (2024)
- Total fertility rate vs. contraceptive prevalence 4.26 births per woman (2024)
- Natural population growth rate 2.7% (2023)
- Fertility rate: births per woman 4.32 live births per woman (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prison population rate in Cameroon?
- Prison population rate in Cameroon was 118 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 Cameroon?
- The highest recorded value was 127 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2005.
- What is the lowest prison population rate recorded in Cameroon?
- The lowest recorded value was 112 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2011.
- How does Cameroon rank for prison population rate?
- Cameroon ranks 130th out of 202 countries with data for 2024.
- Is prison population rate rising or falling in Cameroon?
- Over the last ten years it is up 2.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Cameroon 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.