Prison population rate in Germany
Germany: Prison population rate was 71 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2024. ▼ Falling
Prison population rate in Germany, 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 Germany is 71 prisoners per 100,000 people, measured in 2024. That is the lowest value across all 12 years on record.
The figure is down 6.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prison population rate in Germany peaked at 96 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2004 and was at its lowest, 71 prisoners per 100,000 people, in 2024.
Germany ranks 163rd of 202 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 12 years of available data.
Prison population rate in Germany, year by year
| Year | prisoners per 100,000 people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 85 prisoners per 100,000 people | — |
| 2002 | 86 prisoners per 100,000 people | +1.2% |
| 2004 | 96 prisoners per 100,000 people | +11.6% |
| 2006 | 93 prisoners per 100,000 people | -3.1% |
| 2008 | 88 prisoners per 100,000 people | -5.4% |
| 2010 | 85 prisoners per 100,000 people | -3.4% |
| 2012 | 82 prisoners per 100,000 people | -3.5% |
| 2014 | 76 prisoners per 100,000 people | -7.3% |
| 2016 | 76 prisoners per 100,000 people | +0.0% |
| 2018 | 77 prisoners per 100,000 people | +1.3% |
| 2020 | 72 prisoners per 100,000 people | -6.5% |
| 2024 | 71 prisoners per 100,000 people | -1.4% |
Germany compared with similar countries
- Germany's 71 prisoners per 100,000 people is below the median for high income countries, which is 172.5 prisoners per 100,000 people, 41% of the median. (80 countries reporting)
- Germany's 71 prisoners per 100,000 people is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 121 prisoners per 100,000 people, 59% of the median. (53 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 89.6 prisoners per 100,000 people | 85 prisoners per 100,000 people | 96 prisoners per 100,000 people | 5 |
| 2010s | 79.2 prisoners per 100,000 people | 76 prisoners per 100,000 people | 85 prisoners per 100,000 people | 5 |
| 2020s | 71.5 prisoners per 100,000 people | 71 prisoners per 100,000 people | 72 prisoners per 100,000 people | 2 |
Countries ranked near Germany
- 160 Senegal 76 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 161 Djibouti 74 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 161 Solomon Islands 74 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 163 Andorra 71 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 165 Denmark 69 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 165 Qatar 69 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 165 Slovenia 69 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
More population data for Germany
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -0.0436 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -0.8968 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -0.0436 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.1409 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 78,932 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population -0.1335 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.3367 % change on previous year (2100)
- World population growth -0.0% (2100)
- Population density 202.93 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 3.11 million people (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prison population rate in Germany?
- Prison population rate in Germany was 71 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 Germany?
- The highest recorded value was 96 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2004.
- What is the lowest prison population rate recorded in Germany?
- The lowest recorded value was 71 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2024.
- How does Germany rank for prison population rate?
- Germany ranks 163rd out of 202 countries with data for 2024.
- Is prison population rate rising or falling in Germany?
- Over the last ten years it is down 6.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Germany 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.