Prison population rate in El Salvador
El Salvador: Prison population rate was 1,659 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Prison population rate in El Salvador, 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
El Salvador recorded 1,659 prisoners per 100,000 people for prison population rate in 2024. That is the highest value across all 12 years on record.
The figure is up 268.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prison population rate in El Salvador peaked at 1,659 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2024 and was at its lowest, 132 prisoners per 100,000 people, in 2000.
That places El Salvador 1st out of 202 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 216.6 prisoners per 100,000 people | 132 prisoners per 100,000 people | 324 prisoners per 100,000 people | 5 |
| 2010s | 495.6 prisoners per 100,000 people | 399 prisoners per 100,000 people | 617 prisoners per 100,000 people | 5 |
| 2020s | 1,116 prisoners per 100,000 people | 572 prisoners per 100,000 people | 1,659 prisoners per 100,000 people | 2 |
Countries ranked near El Salvador
- 2 Rwanda 620 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 3 Turkmenistan 576 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 4 United States 542 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
More population data for El Salvador
- Population growth rate, by level of development -0.9% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 204,177 people (2100)
- Population density 244.85 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth -0.9% (2100)
- Total fertility rate vs. wanted fertility rate 1.77 births per woman (2024)
- Refugees by country of asylum 120 people (2024)
- Fertility rate vs. unmet need for contraception 1.77 births per woman (2024)
- Total fertility rate vs. contraceptive prevalence 1.77 births per woman (2024)
- Natural population growth rate 0.8% (2023)
- Fertility rate: births per woman 1.77 live births per woman (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prison population rate in El Salvador?
- Prison population rate in El Salvador was 1,659 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 El Salvador?
- The highest recorded value was 1,659 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2024.
- What is the lowest prison population rate recorded in El Salvador?
- The lowest recorded value was 132 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2000.
- How does El Salvador rank for prison population rate?
- El Salvador ranks 1st out of 202 countries with data for 2024.
- Is prison population rate rising or falling in El Salvador?
- Over the last ten years it is up 268.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this El Salvador 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.