Prison population rate in Guatemala
Guatemala: Prison population rate was 123 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2023. ▲ Rising
Latest (2023)
123 prisoners per 100,000 people
Change on year
down 13.4%
World rank
125th
of 202 countries
All-time high
142 prisoners per 100,000 people
in 2020
All-time low
57 prisoners per 100,000 people
in 2006
Years of data
12
2000–2023
Prison population rate in Guatemala, 2000–2023
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 2023, prison population rate in Guatemala stood at 123 prisoners per 100,000 people.
The figure is down 13.4% on the previous year and up 23.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prison population rate in Guatemala peaked at 142 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2020 and was at its lowest, 57 prisoners per 100,000 people, in 2006.
That places Guatemala 125th out of 202 countries with data for 2023, 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 Guatemala, year by year
| Year | prisoners per 100,000 people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 62 prisoners per 100,000 people | — |
| 2002 | 69 prisoners per 100,000 people | +11.3% |
| 2004 | 70 prisoners per 100,000 people | +1.4% |
| 2006 | 57 prisoners per 100,000 people | -18.6% |
| 2008 | 60 prisoners per 100,000 people | +5.3% |
| 2010 | 78 prisoners per 100,000 people | +30.0% |
| 2012 | 100 prisoners per 100,000 people | +28.2% |
| 2014 | 115 prisoners per 100,000 people | +15.0% |
| 2016 | 125 prisoners per 100,000 people | +8.7% |
| 2018 | 140 prisoners per 100,000 people | +12.0% |
| 2020 | 142 prisoners per 100,000 people | +1.4% |
| 2023 | 123 prisoners per 100,000 people | -13.4% |
Guatemala compared with similar countries
- Guatemala's 123 prisoners per 100,000 people is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 216 prisoners per 100,000 people, 57% of the median. (54 countries reporting)
- Guatemala's 123 prisoners per 100,000 people is below the median for Latin America & Caribbean, which is 280 prisoners per 100,000 people, 44% of the median. (39 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 63.6 prisoners per 100,000 people | 57 prisoners per 100,000 people | 70 prisoners per 100,000 people | 5 |
| 2010s | 111.6 prisoners per 100,000 people | 78 prisoners per 100,000 people | 140 prisoners per 100,000 people | 5 |
| 2020s | 132.5 prisoners per 100,000 people | 123 prisoners per 100,000 people | 142 prisoners per 100,000 people | 2 |
Countries ranked near Guatemala
- 122 France 126 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 123 Guernsey 124 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 123 Jamaica 124 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 126 Portugal 121 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 126 Spain 121 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 128 China 119 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 128 Malta 119 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
More population data for Guatemala
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -0.3404 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate 0.3709 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -0.3404 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.3291 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 24,601 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 1.37 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.6834 % change on previous year (2100)
- World population growth -0.3% (2100)
- Population density 241.81 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 1.24 million people (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prison population rate in Guatemala?
- Prison population rate in Guatemala was 123 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2023, 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 Guatemala?
- The highest recorded value was 142 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2020.
- What is the lowest prison population rate recorded in Guatemala?
- The lowest recorded value was 57 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2006.
- How does Guatemala rank for prison population rate?
- Guatemala ranks 125th out of 202 countries with data for 2023.
- Is prison population rate rising or falling in Guatemala?
- Over the last ten years it is up 23.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Guatemala 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.