Prison population rate in Guatemala
Guatemala: Prison population rate was 123 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2023. ▲ Rising
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.
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
More population data for Guatemala
- Population growth rate, by level of development -0.3% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 1.24 million people (2100)
- Population density 241.81 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth -0.3% (2100)
- Total fertility rate vs. wanted fertility rate 2.29 births per woman (2024)
- Refugees by country of asylum 1,306 people (2024)
- Fertility rate vs. unmet need for contraception 2.29 births per woman (2024)
- Total fertility rate vs. contraceptive prevalence 2.29 births per woman (2024)
- Natural population growth rate 1.6% (2023)
- Fertility rate: births per woman 2.31 live births per woman (2023)
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.