Prison population rate in Gambia
Gambia: Prison population rate was 22 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2021. ▼ Falling
Prison population rate in Gambia, 1999–2021
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 Gambia is 22 prisoners per 100,000 people, measured in 2021. That is the lowest value across all 6 years on record.
That represents a change of down 24.1% on the previous year and down 50.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prison population rate in Gambia peaked at 55 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2014 and was at its lowest, 22 prisoners per 100,000 people, in 2021.
Gambia ranks 200th of 202 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
Prison population rate in Gambia, year by year
| Year | prisoners per 100,000 people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 40 prisoners per 100,000 people | — |
| 2002 | 34 prisoners per 100,000 people | -15.0% |
| 2009 | 44 prisoners per 100,000 people | +29.4% |
| 2014 | 55 prisoners per 100,000 people | +25.0% |
| 2019 | 29 prisoners per 100,000 people | -47.3% |
| 2021 | 22 prisoners per 100,000 people | -24.1% |
Gambia compared with similar countries
- Gambia's 22 prisoners per 100,000 people is below the median for low income countries, which is 55.5 prisoners per 100,000 people, 40% of the median. (18 countries reporting)
- Gambia's 22 prisoners per 100,000 people is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 90 prisoners per 100,000 people, 24% of the median. (39 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 40 prisoners per 100,000 people | 40 prisoners per 100,000 people | 40 prisoners per 100,000 people | 1 |
| 2000s | 39 prisoners per 100,000 people | 34 prisoners per 100,000 people | 44 prisoners per 100,000 people | 2 |
| 2010s | 42 prisoners per 100,000 people | 29 prisoners per 100,000 people | 55 prisoners per 100,000 people | 2 |
| 2020s | 22 prisoners per 100,000 people | 22 prisoners per 100,000 people | 22 prisoners per 100,000 people | 1 |
Countries ranked near Gambia
- 197 Japan 33 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 197 Nigeria 33 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 199 Faroe Islands 24 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 201 Liechtenstein 20 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 202 Yemen 14 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
More population data for Gambia
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.023 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate 1.17 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.023 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.1454 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 4,674 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 2.23 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.5608 % change on previous year (2100)
- World population growth 0.0% (2100)
- Population density 563.54 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 334,764 people (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prison population rate in Gambia?
- Prison population rate in Gambia was 22 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2021, 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 Gambia?
- The highest recorded value was 55 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2014.
- What is the lowest prison population rate recorded in Gambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 22 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2021.
- How does Gambia rank for prison population rate?
- Gambia ranks 200th out of 202 countries with data for 2021.
- Is prison population rate rising or falling in Gambia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 50.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Gambia 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.