Prison population rate in Chile
Chile: Prison population rate was 329 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2025. ▲ Rising
Prison population rate in Chile, 2000–2025
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 Chile is 329 prisoners per 100,000 people, measured in 2025. That is the highest value across all 13 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 44.9% on the previous year and up 28.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prison population rate in Chile peaked at 329 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2025 and was at its lowest, 215 prisoners per 100,000 people, in 2000.
That places Chile 26th out of 202 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the top quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 13 years of available data.
Prison population rate in Chile, year by year
| Year | prisoners per 100,000 people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 215 prisoners per 100,000 people | — |
| 2002 | 222 prisoners per 100,000 people | +3.3% |
| 2004 | 226 prisoners per 100,000 people | +1.8% |
| 2006 | 240 prisoners per 100,000 people | +6.2% |
| 2008 | 291 prisoners per 100,000 people | +21.2% |
| 2010 | 320 prisoners per 100,000 people | +10.0% |
| 2012 | 298 prisoners per 100,000 people | -6.9% |
| 2014 | 257 prisoners per 100,000 people | -13.8% |
| 2016 | 242 prisoners per 100,000 people | -5.8% |
| 2018 | 228 prisoners per 100,000 people | -5.8% |
| 2020 | 215 prisoners per 100,000 people | -5.7% |
| 2022 | 227 prisoners per 100,000 people | +5.6% |
| 2025 | 329 prisoners per 100,000 people | +44.9% |
Chile compared with similar countries
- Chile's 329 prisoners per 100,000 people is above the median for high income countries, which is 172.5 prisoners per 100,000 people, 1.9× the median. (80 countries reporting)
- Chile's 329 prisoners per 100,000 people is above the median for Latin America & Caribbean, which is 280 prisoners per 100,000 people, 1.2× the median. (39 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 238.8 prisoners per 100,000 people | 215 prisoners per 100,000 people | 291 prisoners per 100,000 people | 5 |
| 2010s | 269 prisoners per 100,000 people | 228 prisoners per 100,000 people | 320 prisoners per 100,000 people | 5 |
| 2020s | 257 prisoners per 100,000 people | 215 prisoners per 100,000 people | 329 prisoners per 100,000 people | 3 |
Countries ranked near Chile
More population data for Chile
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.5123 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -1.14 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -5.32 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -1.14 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development -1.1% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 411,277 people (2100)
- Population density 18.06 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth -1.1% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -1.15 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 0.323 Percent per annum (2030)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prison population rate in Chile?
- Prison population rate in Chile was 329 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2025, 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 Chile?
- The highest recorded value was 329 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2025.
- What is the lowest prison population rate recorded in Chile?
- The lowest recorded value was 215 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2000.
- How does Chile rank for prison population rate?
- Chile ranks 26th out of 202 countries with data for 2025.
- Is prison population rate rising or falling in Chile?
- Over the last ten years it is up 28.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Chile 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.