Prison population rate in Iraq
Iraq: Prison population rate was 179 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2021. ▲ Rising
Prison population rate in Iraq, 2006–2021
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
Iraq recorded 179 prisoners per 100,000 people for prison population rate in 2021. That is the highest value across all 8 years on record.
The figure is up 23.4% on the previous year and up 43.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prison population rate in Iraq peaked at 179 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2021 and was at its lowest, 57 prisoners per 100,000 people, in 2006.
That places Iraq 88th out of 202 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the middle of the range.
Prison population rate in Iraq, year by year
| Year | prisoners per 100,000 people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 57 prisoners per 100,000 people | — |
| 2008 | 97 prisoners per 100,000 people | +70.2% |
| 2010 | 125 prisoners per 100,000 people | +28.9% |
| 2012 | 136 prisoners per 100,000 people | +8.8% |
| 2015 | 127 prisoners per 100,000 people | -6.6% |
| 2017 | 171 prisoners per 100,000 people | +34.6% |
| 2019 | 145 prisoners per 100,000 people | -15.2% |
| 2021 | 179 prisoners per 100,000 people | +23.4% |
Iraq compared with similar countries
- Iraq's 179 prisoners per 100,000 people is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 216 prisoners per 100,000 people, 83% of the median. (54 countries reporting)
- Iraq's 179 prisoners per 100,000 people is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 160 prisoners per 100,000 people, 1.1× the median. (18 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 77 prisoners per 100,000 people | 57 prisoners per 100,000 people | 97 prisoners per 100,000 people | 2 |
| 2010s | 140.8 prisoners per 100,000 people | 125 prisoners per 100,000 people | 171 prisoners per 100,000 people | 5 |
| 2020s | 179 prisoners per 100,000 people | 179 prisoners per 100,000 people | 179 prisoners per 100,000 people | 1 |
Countries ranked near Iraq
- 85 Macao 185 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 86 Myanmar 183 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 87 Sri Lanka 180 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 88 Czechia 179 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 88 Samoa 179 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 91 Singapore 178 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
More population data for Iraq
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.1891 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -3.65 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.1891 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.3293 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 74,515 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 2.07 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.4379 % change on previous year (2100)
- World population growth 0.2% (2100)
- Population density 231.84 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 5.99 million people (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prison population rate in Iraq?
- Prison population rate in Iraq was 179 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2021, 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 Iraq?
- The highest recorded value was 179 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2021.
- What is the lowest prison population rate recorded in Iraq?
- The lowest recorded value was 57 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2006.
- How does Iraq rank for prison population rate?
- Iraq ranks 88th out of 202 countries with data for 2021.
- Is prison population rate rising or falling in Iraq?
- Over the last ten years it is up 43.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Iraq 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.