Prison population rate in Hong Kong
Hong Kong: Prison population rate was 139 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2025. ▼ Falling
Prison population rate in Hong Kong, 2000–2025
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 Hong Kong is 139 prisoners per 100,000 people, measured in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 31.1% on the previous year and up 21.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prison population rate in Hong Kong peaked at 189 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2002 and was at its lowest, 95 prisoners per 100,000 people, in 2020.
Hong Kong ranks 115th of 202 regions on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 13 years of available data.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 174.4 prisoners per 100,000 people | 151 prisoners per 100,000 people | 189 prisoners per 100,000 people | 5 |
| 2010s | 122.2 prisoners per 100,000 people | 109 prisoners per 100,000 people | 142 prisoners per 100,000 people | 5 |
| 2020s | 113.33 prisoners per 100,000 people | 95 prisoners per 100,000 people | 139 prisoners per 100,000 people | 3 |
Countries ranked near Hong Kong
- 112 Lebanon 141 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 113 Saudi Arabia 140 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 114 United Kingdom 139.33 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 116 Zambia 137 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 117 Vietnam 135 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 118 Suriname 134 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
More population data for Hong Kong
- World population growth -2.5% (2100)
- Population density 1,981 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 30,373 people (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development -2.5% (2100)
- Total fertility rate vs. contraceptive prevalence 0.841 births per woman (2024)
- Fertility rate vs. unmet need for contraception 0.841 births per woman (2024)
- Refugees by country of asylum 260 people (2024)
- Total fertility rate vs. wanted fertility rate 0.841 births per woman (2024)
- Fertility rate vs. Share of people who are religious 0.717 live births per woman (2023)
- Fertility rate accounting for survival until childbearing age 0.7136 children per women (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prison population rate in Hong Kong?
- Prison population rate in Hong Kong was 139 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2025, 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 Hong Kong?
- The highest recorded value was 189 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2002.
- What is the lowest prison population rate recorded in Hong Kong?
- The lowest recorded value was 95 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2020.
- How does Hong Kong rank for prison population rate?
- Hong Kong ranks 115th out of 202 regions with data for 2025.
- Is prison population rate rising or falling in Hong Kong?
- Over the last ten years it is up 21.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Hong Kong 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.