Prison population rate in China
China: Prison population rate was 119 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2018. ▬ Flat
Prison population rate in China, 2000–2018
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 China is 119 prisoners per 100,000 people, measured in 2018.
The figure is down 1.7% on the previous year and down 1.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prison population rate in China peaked at 121 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2008 and was at its lowest, 111 prisoners per 100,000 people, in 2000.
China ranks 128th of 202 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 117.6 prisoners per 100,000 people | 111 prisoners per 100,000 people | 121 prisoners per 100,000 people | 5 |
| 2010s | 119.8 prisoners per 100,000 people | 118 prisoners per 100,000 people | 121 prisoners per 100,000 people | 5 |
Countries ranked near China
More population data for China
- Population growth rate, by level of development -1.7% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 15.54 million people (2100)
- Population density 67.46 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth -1.7% (2100)
- Total fertility rate vs. wanted fertility rate 1.01 births per woman (2024)
- Refugees by country of asylum 303,405 people (2020)
- Fertility rate vs. unmet need for contraception 1.01 births per woman (2024)
- Total fertility rate vs. contraceptive prevalence 1.01 births per woman (2024)
- Natural population growth rate -0.2% (2023)
- Fertility rate: births per woman 0.999 live births per woman (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prison population rate in China?
- Prison population rate in China was 119 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2018, 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 China?
- The highest recorded value was 121 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2008.
- What is the lowest prison population rate recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 111 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2000.
- How does China rank for prison population rate?
- China ranks 128th out of 202 countries with data for 2018.
- Is prison population rate rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is down 1.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this China 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.