Prison population rate in Central African Republic
Central African Republic: Prison population rate was 52 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2023. ▲ Rising
Prison population rate in Central African Republic, 2009–2023
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 Central African Republic is 52 prisoners per 100,000 people, measured in 2023. That is the highest value across all 6 years on record.
The figure is up 100.0% on the previous year and up 173.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prison population rate in Central African Republic peaked at 52 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2023 and was at its lowest, 17 prisoners per 100,000 people, in 2015.
That places Central African Republic 184th out of 202 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the bottom quarter.
Prison population rate in Central African Republic, year by year
| Year | prisoners per 100,000 people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 49 prisoners per 100,000 people | — |
| 2011 | 19 prisoners per 100,000 people | -61.2% |
| 2015 | 17 prisoners per 100,000 people | -10.5% |
| 2019 | 21 prisoners per 100,000 people | +23.5% |
| 2021 | 26 prisoners per 100,000 people | +23.8% |
| 2023 | 52 prisoners per 100,000 people | +100.0% |
Central African Republic compared with similar countries
- Central African Republic's 52 prisoners per 100,000 people is below the median for low income countries, which is 55.5 prisoners per 100,000 people, 94% of the median. (18 countries reporting)
- Central African Republic's 52 prisoners per 100,000 people is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 90 prisoners per 100,000 people, 58% of the median. (39 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 49 prisoners per 100,000 people | 49 prisoners per 100,000 people | 49 prisoners per 100,000 people | 1 |
| 2010s | 19 prisoners per 100,000 people | 17 prisoners per 100,000 people | 21 prisoners per 100,000 people | 3 |
| 2020s | 39 prisoners per 100,000 people | 26 prisoners per 100,000 people | 52 prisoners per 100,000 people | 2 |
Countries ranked near Central African Republic
- 181 Afghanistan 54 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 181 Finland 54 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 181 Norway 54 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 184 Sierra Leone 52 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 184 Sudan 52 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 187 Mali 48 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
More population data for Central African Republic
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.4069 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate 0.8749 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.4069 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.248 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 11,533 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 3.07 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.5628 % change on previous year (2100)
- World population growth 0.4% (2100)
- Population density 30.14 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 1.36 million people (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prison population rate in Central African Republic?
- Prison population rate in Central African Republic was 52 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 Central African Republic?
- The highest recorded value was 52 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2023.
- What is the lowest prison population rate recorded in Central African Republic?
- The lowest recorded value was 17 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2015.
- How does Central African Republic rank for prison population rate?
- Central African Republic ranks 184th out of 202 countries with data for 2023.
- Is prison population rate rising or falling in Central African Republic?
- Over the last ten years it is up 173.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Central African Republic 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.