Prison population rate in Iran
Iran: Prison population rate was 228 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2020. ▲ Rising
Prison population rate in Iran, 2001–2020
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 Iran is 228 prisoners per 100,000 people, measured in 2020.
That represents a change of down 22.4% on the previous year and down 0.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prison population rate in Iran peaked at 294 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2018 and was at its lowest, 192 prisoners per 100,000 people, in 2005.
Iran ranks 63rd of 202 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 218.8 prisoners per 100,000 people | 192 prisoners per 100,000 people | 237 prisoners per 100,000 people | 5 |
| 2010s | 286.5 prisoners per 100,000 people | 279 prisoners per 100,000 people | 294 prisoners per 100,000 people | 2 |
| 2020s | 228 prisoners per 100,000 people | 228 prisoners per 100,000 people | 228 prisoners per 100,000 people | 1 |
Countries ranked near Iran
- 61 Bahrain 234 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 62 Aruba 233 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 64 Maldives 225 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 65 Dominican Republic 219 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 66 Algeria 217 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 66 Israel 217 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
More population data for Iran
- Population growth rate, by level of development -0.7% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 3.09 million people (2100)
- Population density 49.33 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth -0.7% (2100)
- Total fertility rate vs. wanted fertility rate 1.68 births per woman (2024)
- Refugees by country of asylum 3.49 million people (2024)
- Fertility rate vs. unmet need for contraception 1.68 births per woman (2024)
- Total fertility rate vs. contraceptive prevalence 1.68 births per woman (2024)
- Natural population growth rate 0.8% (2023)
- Fertility rate: births per woman 1.7 live births per woman (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prison population rate in Iran?
- Prison population rate in Iran was 228 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2020, 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 Iran?
- The highest recorded value was 294 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2018.
- What is the lowest prison population rate recorded in Iran?
- The lowest recorded value was 192 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2005.
- How does Iran rank for prison population rate?
- Iran ranks 63rd out of 202 countries with data for 2020.
- Is prison population rate rising or falling in Iran?
- Over the last ten years it is down 0.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Iran 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.