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

0204060802000201220242000: 63 prisoners per 100,000 people2002: 64 prisoners per 100,000 people2004: 70 prisoners per 100,000 people2006: 72 prisoners per 100,000 people2008: 64 prisoners per 100,000 people2010: 71 prisoners per 100,000 people2012: 71 prisoners per 100,000 people2014: 67 prisoners per 100,000 people2016: 60 prisoners per 100,000 people2018: 65 prisoners per 100,000 people2020: 70 prisoners per 100,000 people2024: 69 prisoners per 100,000 people

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.

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest 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

  1. 163 Andorra 71 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
  2. 163 Germany 71 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
  3. 165 Qatar 69 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
  4. 165 Slovenia 69 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
  5. 168 Vanuatu 68 prisoners per 100,000 people compare

See the full ranking of 202 places →

More population data for Denmark

All data for Denmark →

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.

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About this data

Indicator
Prison population rate
Unit
prisoners per 100,000 people
Source
Institute for Crime & Justice Policy Research (2026); Population based on various sources (2024) – with minor processing by Our World in Data
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage
202 places, 2,155 data points, 1993–2026
Last refreshed

Prison population (including pre-trial detainees and remand prisoners), per 100,000 population.