Prison population rate in Jamaica
Jamaica: Prison population rate was 124 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2023. ▼ Falling
Prison population rate in Jamaica, 2003–2023
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
The most recent figure for prison population rate in Jamaica is 124 prisoners per 100,000 people, measured in 2023. That is the lowest value across all 10 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 4.6% on the previous year and down 16.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prison population rate in Jamaica peaked at 188 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2009 and was at its lowest, 124 prisoners per 100,000 people, in 2023.
That places Jamaica 123rd out of 202 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 10 years of available data.
Prison population rate in Jamaica, year by year
| Year | prisoners per 100,000 people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 178 prisoners per 100,000 people | — |
| 2005 | 180 prisoners per 100,000 people | +1.1% |
| 2007 | 174 prisoners per 100,000 people | -3.3% |
| 2009 | 188 prisoners per 100,000 people | +8.0% |
| 2011 | 161 prisoners per 100,000 people | -14.4% |
| 2013 | 148 prisoners per 100,000 people | -8.1% |
| 2015 | 138 prisoners per 100,000 people | -6.8% |
| 2018 | 137 prisoners per 100,000 people | -0.7% |
| 2021 | 130 prisoners per 100,000 people | -5.1% |
| 2023 | 124 prisoners per 100,000 people | -4.6% |
Jamaica compared with similar countries
- Jamaica's 124 prisoners per 100,000 people is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 216 prisoners per 100,000 people, 57% of the median. (54 countries reporting)
- Jamaica's 124 prisoners per 100,000 people is below the median for Latin America & Caribbean, which is 280 prisoners per 100,000 people, 44% of the median. (39 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 180 prisoners per 100,000 people | 174 prisoners per 100,000 people | 188 prisoners per 100,000 people | 4 |
| 2010s | 146 prisoners per 100,000 people | 137 prisoners per 100,000 people | 161 prisoners per 100,000 people | 4 |
| 2020s | 127 prisoners per 100,000 people | 124 prisoners per 100,000 people | 130 prisoners per 100,000 people | 2 |
Countries ranked near Jamaica
- 121 Micronesia (country) 127 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 122 France 126 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 123 Guernsey 124 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 125 Guatemala 123 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 126 Portugal 121 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 126 Spain 121 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
More population data for Jamaica
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -1.76 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -4.7 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -1.76 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -3.12 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 2,494 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population -0.1905 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -1.66 % change on previous year (2100)
- World population growth -1.8% (2100)
- Population density 98.5 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 35,987 people (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prison population rate in Jamaica?
- Prison population rate in Jamaica was 124 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 Jamaica?
- The highest recorded value was 188 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2009.
- What is the lowest prison population rate recorded in Jamaica?
- The lowest recorded value was 124 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2023.
- How does Jamaica rank for prison population rate?
- Jamaica ranks 123rd out of 202 countries with data for 2023.
- Is prison population rate rising or falling in Jamaica?
- Over the last ten years it is down 16.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Jamaica 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.