Prison population rate in Canada
Canada: Prison population rate was 90 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2023. ▼ Falling
Prison population rate in Canada, 2001–2023
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
In 2023, prison population rate in Canada stood at 90 prisoners per 100,000 people. That is the lowest value across all 11 years on record.
The figure is down 23.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prison population rate in Canada peaked at 118 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2013 and was at its lowest, 90 prisoners per 100,000 people, in 2023.
Canada ranks 154th of 202 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 11 years of available data.
Prison population rate in Canada, year by year
| Year | prisoners per 100,000 people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 115 prisoners per 100,000 people | — |
| 2003 | 114 prisoners per 100,000 people | -0.9% |
| 2005 | 107 prisoners per 100,000 people | -6.1% |
| 2007 | 115 prisoners per 100,000 people | +7.5% |
| 2009 | 117 prisoners per 100,000 people | +1.7% |
| 2011 | 117 prisoners per 100,000 people | +0.0% |
| 2013 | 118 prisoners per 100,000 people | +0.9% |
| 2015 | 114 prisoners per 100,000 people | -3.4% |
| 2017 | 112 prisoners per 100,000 people | -1.8% |
| 2019 | 104 prisoners per 100,000 people | -7.1% |
| 2023 | 90 prisoners per 100,000 people | -13.5% |
Canada compared with similar countries
- Canada's 90 prisoners per 100,000 people is below the median for high income countries, which is 172.5 prisoners per 100,000 people, 52% of the median. (80 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 113.6 prisoners per 100,000 people | 107 prisoners per 100,000 people | 117 prisoners per 100,000 people | 5 |
| 2010s | 113 prisoners per 100,000 people | 104 prisoners per 100,000 people | 118 prisoners per 100,000 people | 5 |
| 2020s | 90 prisoners per 100,000 people | 90 prisoners per 100,000 people | 90 prisoners per 100,000 people | 1 |
Countries ranked near Canada
- 151 Nepal 93 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 152 Sweden 92 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 153 Luxembourg 91 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 154 Burundi 90 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 156 Armenia 83 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 157 Monaco 81 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
More population data for Canada
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.2634 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.3281 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -1.13 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.3281 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development 0.3% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 2.33 million people (2100)
- Population density 6.1 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth 0.3% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate 0.3863 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 0.7644 Percent per annum (2030)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prison population rate in Canada?
- Prison population rate in Canada was 90 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 Canada?
- The highest recorded value was 118 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2013.
- What is the lowest prison population rate recorded in Canada?
- The lowest recorded value was 90 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2023.
- How does Canada rank for prison population rate?
- Canada ranks 154th out of 202 countries with data for 2023.
- Is prison population rate rising or falling in Canada?
- Over the last ten years it is down 23.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Canada 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.