Prison population rate in Finland
Finland: Prison population rate was 54 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2024. ▼ Falling
Latest (2024)
54 prisoners per 100,000 people
World rank
181st
of 202 countries
All-time high
72 prisoners per 100,000 people
in 2006
All-time low
51 prisoners per 100,000 people
in 2020
Years of data
12
2000–2024
Prison population rate in Finland, 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
The most recent figure for prison population rate in Finland is 54 prisoners per 100,000 people, measured in 2024.
The figure is down 5.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prison population rate in Finland peaked at 72 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2006 and was at its lowest, 51 prisoners per 100,000 people, in 2020.
That places Finland 181st out of 202 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 12 years of available data.
Prison population rate in Finland, year by year
| Year | prisoners per 100,000 people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 55 prisoners per 100,000 people | — |
| 2002 | 66 prisoners per 100,000 people | +20.0% |
| 2004 | 68 prisoners per 100,000 people | +3.0% |
| 2006 | 72 prisoners per 100,000 people | +5.9% |
| 2008 | 66 prisoners per 100,000 people | -8.3% |
| 2010 | 61 prisoners per 100,000 people | -7.6% |
| 2012 | 60 prisoners per 100,000 people | -1.6% |
| 2014 | 57 prisoners per 100,000 people | -5.0% |
| 2016 | 57 prisoners per 100,000 people | +0.0% |
| 2018 | 53 prisoners per 100,000 people | -7.0% |
| 2020 | 51 prisoners per 100,000 people | -3.8% |
| 2024 | 54 prisoners per 100,000 people | +5.9% |
Finland compared with similar countries
- Finland's 54 prisoners per 100,000 people is below the median for high income countries, which is 172.5 prisoners per 100,000 people, 31% of the median. (80 countries reporting)
- Finland's 54 prisoners per 100,000 people is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 121 prisoners per 100,000 people, 45% of the median. (53 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 65.4 prisoners per 100,000 people | 55 prisoners per 100,000 people | 72 prisoners per 100,000 people | 5 |
| 2010s | 57.6 prisoners per 100,000 people | 53 prisoners per 100,000 people | 61 prisoners per 100,000 people | 5 |
| 2020s | 52.5 prisoners per 100,000 people | 51 prisoners per 100,000 people | 54 prisoners per 100,000 people | 2 |
Countries ranked near Finland
- 178 Chad 56 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 179 East Timor 55 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 179 Niger 55 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 181 Afghanistan 54 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 181 Norway 54 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 184 Central African Republic 52 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 184 Sierra Leone 52 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 184 Sudan 52 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
More population data for Finland
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -0.3569 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -0.3888 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -0.3569 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.1705 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 5,461 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 0.0156 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.0727 % change on previous year (2100)
- World population growth -0.4% (2100)
- Population density 15.14 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 178,591 people (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prison population rate in Finland?
- Prison population rate in Finland was 54 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 Finland?
- The highest recorded value was 72 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2006.
- What is the lowest prison population rate recorded in Finland?
- The lowest recorded value was 51 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2020.
- How does Finland rank for prison population rate?
- Finland ranks 181st out of 202 countries with data for 2024.
- Is prison population rate rising or falling in Finland?
- Over the last ten years it is down 5.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Finland 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
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About this data
Prison population (including pre-trial detainees and remand prisoners), per 100,000 population.