Prison population rate in Iceland
Iceland: Prison population rate was 35 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2024. ▲ Rising
Latest (2024)
35 prisoners per 100,000 people
World rank
196th
of 202 countries
All-time high
52 prisoners per 100,000 people
in 2010
All-time low
28 prisoners per 100,000 people
in 2000
Years of data
12
2000–2024
Prison population rate in Iceland, 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
Iceland recorded 35 prisoners per 100,000 people for prison population rate in 2024.
That represents a change of down 25.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prison population rate in Iceland peaked at 52 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2010 and was at its lowest, 28 prisoners per 100,000 people, in 2000.
Iceland ranks 196th of 202 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 12 years of available data.
Prison population rate in Iceland, year by year
| Year | prisoners per 100,000 people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 28 prisoners per 100,000 people | — |
| 2002 | 37 prisoners per 100,000 people | +32.1% |
| 2004 | 39 prisoners per 100,000 people | +5.4% |
| 2006 | 39 prisoners per 100,000 people | +0.0% |
| 2008 | 44 prisoners per 100,000 people | +12.8% |
| 2010 | 52 prisoners per 100,000 people | +18.2% |
| 2012 | 47 prisoners per 100,000 people | -9.6% |
| 2014 | 47 prisoners per 100,000 people | +0.0% |
| 2016 | 37 prisoners per 100,000 people | -21.3% |
| 2018 | 37 prisoners per 100,000 people | +0.0% |
| 2020 | 44 prisoners per 100,000 people | +18.9% |
| 2024 | 35 prisoners per 100,000 people | -20.5% |
Iceland compared with similar countries
- Iceland's 35 prisoners per 100,000 people is below the median for high income countries, which is 172.5 prisoners per 100,000 people, 20% of the median. (80 countries reporting)
- Iceland's 35 prisoners per 100,000 people is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 121 prisoners per 100,000 people, 29% of the median. (53 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 37.4 prisoners per 100,000 people | 28 prisoners per 100,000 people | 44 prisoners per 100,000 people | 5 |
| 2010s | 44 prisoners per 100,000 people | 37 prisoners per 100,000 people | 52 prisoners per 100,000 people | 5 |
| 2020s | 39.5 prisoners per 100,000 people | 35 prisoners per 100,000 people | 44 prisoners per 100,000 people | 2 |
Countries ranked near Iceland
- 194 Burkina Faso 37 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 194 India 37 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 197 Japan 33 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 197 Nigeria 33 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 199 Faroe Islands 24 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
More population data for Iceland
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -0.4984 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -5.08 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -0.4984 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.2688 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 408.78 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 0.4806 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.6617 % change on previous year (2100)
- World population growth -0.5% (2100)
- Population density 3.6 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 13,661 people (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prison population rate in Iceland?
- Prison population rate in Iceland was 35 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 Iceland?
- The highest recorded value was 52 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2010.
- What is the lowest prison population rate recorded in Iceland?
- The lowest recorded value was 28 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2000.
- How does Iceland rank for prison population rate?
- Iceland ranks 196th out of 202 countries with data for 2024.
- Is prison population rate rising or falling in Iceland?
- Over the last ten years it is down 25.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Iceland 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.
Download this data
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About this data
Prison population (including pre-trial detainees and remand prisoners), per 100,000 population.