Prison population rate in Greece
Greece: Prison population rate was 98 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2024. ▲ Rising
Prison population rate in Greece, 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
In 2024, prison population rate in Greece stood at 98 prisoners per 100,000 people.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 15.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prison population rate in Greece peaked at 116 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2014 and was at its lowest, 70 prisoners per 100,000 people, in 2000.
That places Greece 147th out of 202 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 12 years of available data.
Prison population rate in Greece, year by year
| Year | prisoners per 100,000 people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 70 prisoners per 100,000 people | — |
| 2002 | 78 prisoners per 100,000 people | +11.4% |
| 2004 | 79 prisoners per 100,000 people | +1.3% |
| 2006 | 90 prisoners per 100,000 people | +13.9% |
| 2008 | 104 prisoners per 100,000 people | +15.6% |
| 2010 | 102 prisoners per 100,000 people | -1.9% |
| 2012 | 113 prisoners per 100,000 people | +10.8% |
| 2014 | 116 prisoners per 100,000 people | +2.7% |
| 2016 | 89 prisoners per 100,000 people | -23.3% |
| 2018 | 93 prisoners per 100,000 people | +4.5% |
| 2020 | 102 prisoners per 100,000 people | +9.7% |
| 2024 | 98 prisoners per 100,000 people | -3.9% |
Greece compared with similar countries
- Greece's 98 prisoners per 100,000 people is below the median for high income countries, which is 172.5 prisoners per 100,000 people, 57% of the median. (80 countries reporting)
- Greece's 98 prisoners per 100,000 people is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 121 prisoners per 100,000 people, 81% of the median. (53 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 84.2 prisoners per 100,000 people | 70 prisoners per 100,000 people | 104 prisoners per 100,000 people | 5 |
| 2010s | 102.6 prisoners per 100,000 people | 89 prisoners per 100,000 people | 116 prisoners per 100,000 people | 5 |
| 2020s | 100 prisoners per 100,000 people | 98 prisoners per 100,000 people | 102 prisoners per 100,000 people | 2 |
Countries ranked near Greece
- 144 Kenya 100 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 145 Bulgaria 99 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 145 Ethiopia 99 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 148 Indonesia 96 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 149 Madagascar 95 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 150 Cote d'Ivoire 94 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
More population data for Greece
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.6991 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -0.6525 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -3.38 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -0.6525 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development -0.7% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 223,897 people (2100)
- Population density 48.69 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth -0.7% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.6659 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population -0.4091 Percent per annum (2030)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prison population rate in Greece?
- Prison population rate in Greece was 98 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 Greece?
- The highest recorded value was 116 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2014.
- What is the lowest prison population rate recorded in Greece?
- The lowest recorded value was 70 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2000.
- How does Greece rank for prison population rate?
- Greece ranks 147th out of 202 countries with data for 2024.
- Is prison population rate rising or falling in Greece?
- Over the last ten years it is down 15.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Greece 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.