Prison population rate in Denmark
Denmark: Prison population rate was 69 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2024. ▬ Flat
Latest (2024)
69 prisoners per 100,000 people
World rank
165th
of 202 countries
All-time high
72 prisoners per 100,000 people
in 2006
All-time low
60 prisoners per 100,000 people
in 2016
Years of data
12
2000–2024
Prison population rate in Denmark, 2000–2024
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 Denmark stood at 69 prisoners per 100,000 people.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 3.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prison population rate in Denmark peaked at 72 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2006 and was at its lowest, 60 prisoners per 100,000 people, in 2016.
Denmark ranks 165th of 202 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
Prison population rate in Denmark, year by year
| Year | prisoners per 100,000 people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 63 prisoners per 100,000 people | — |
| 2002 | 64 prisoners per 100,000 people | +1.6% |
| 2004 | 70 prisoners per 100,000 people | +9.4% |
| 2006 | 72 prisoners per 100,000 people | +2.9% |
| 2008 | 64 prisoners per 100,000 people | -11.1% |
| 2010 | 71 prisoners per 100,000 people | +10.9% |
| 2012 | 71 prisoners per 100,000 people | +0.0% |
| 2014 | 67 prisoners per 100,000 people | -5.6% |
| 2016 | 60 prisoners per 100,000 people | -10.4% |
| 2018 | 65 prisoners per 100,000 people | +8.3% |
| 2020 | 70 prisoners per 100,000 people | +7.7% |
| 2024 | 69 prisoners per 100,000 people | -1.4% |
Denmark compared with similar countries
- Denmark's 69 prisoners per 100,000 people is below the median for high income countries, which is 172.5 prisoners per 100,000 people, 40% of the median. (80 countries reporting)
- Denmark's 69 prisoners per 100,000 people is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 121 prisoners per 100,000 people, 57% of the median. (53 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 66.6 prisoners per 100,000 people | 63 prisoners per 100,000 people | 72 prisoners per 100,000 people | 5 |
| 2010s | 66.8 prisoners per 100,000 people | 60 prisoners per 100,000 people | 71 prisoners per 100,000 people | 5 |
| 2020s | 69.5 prisoners per 100,000 people | 69 prisoners per 100,000 people | 70 prisoners per 100,000 people | 2 |
Countries ranked near Denmark
More population data for Denmark
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.1645 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -0.1264 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -2.61 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -0.1264 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development -0.1% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 261,283 people (2100)
- Population density 146.58 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth -0.1% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.2287 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 0.4223 Percent per annum (2030)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prison population rate in Denmark?
- Prison population rate in Denmark was 69 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 Denmark?
- The highest recorded value was 72 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2006.
- What is the lowest prison population rate recorded in Denmark?
- The lowest recorded value was 60 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2016.
- How does Denmark rank for prison population rate?
- Denmark ranks 165th out of 202 countries with data for 2024.
- Is prison population rate rising or falling in Denmark?
- Over the last ten years it is up 3.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Denmark 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.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 12 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Prison population (including pre-trial detainees and remand prisoners), per 100,000 population.