Prison population rate in Japan
Japan: Prison population rate was 33 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2024. ▼ Falling
Prison population rate in Japan, 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
The most recent figure for prison population rate in Japan is 33 prisoners per 100,000 people, measured in 2024. That is the lowest value across all 13 years on record.
The figure is down 31.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prison population rate in Japan peaked at 64 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2006 and was at its lowest, 33 prisoners per 100,000 people, in 2022.
That places Japan 197th out of 202 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 13 years of available data.
Prison population rate in Japan, year by year
| Year | prisoners per 100,000 people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 48 prisoners per 100,000 people | — |
| 2002 | 55 prisoners per 100,000 people | +14.6% |
| 2004 | 60 prisoners per 100,000 people | +9.1% |
| 2006 | 64 prisoners per 100,000 people | +6.7% |
| 2008 | 60 prisoners per 100,000 people | -6.2% |
| 2010 | 57 prisoners per 100,000 people | -5.0% |
| 2012 | 53 prisoners per 100,000 people | -7.0% |
| 2014 | 48 prisoners per 100,000 people | -9.4% |
| 2016 | 44 prisoners per 100,000 people | -8.3% |
| 2018 | 40 prisoners per 100,000 people | -9.1% |
| 2020 | 37 prisoners per 100,000 people | -7.5% |
| 2022 | 33 prisoners per 100,000 people | -10.8% |
| 2024 | 33 prisoners per 100,000 people | +0.0% |
Japan compared with similar countries
- Japan's 33 prisoners per 100,000 people is below the median for high income countries, which is 172.5 prisoners per 100,000 people, 19% of the median. (80 countries reporting)
- Japan's 33 prisoners per 100,000 people is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 170 prisoners per 100,000 people, 19% of the median. (35 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 57.4 prisoners per 100,000 people | 48 prisoners per 100,000 people | 64 prisoners per 100,000 people | 5 |
| 2010s | 48.4 prisoners per 100,000 people | 40 prisoners per 100,000 people | 57 prisoners per 100,000 people | 5 |
| 2020s | 34.33 prisoners per 100,000 people | 33 prisoners per 100,000 people | 37 prisoners per 100,000 people | 3 |
Countries ranked near Japan
- 194 Burkina Faso 37 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 194 India 37 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 196 Iceland 35 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
- 200 Gambia 22 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
More population data for Japan
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -0.4984 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -5.09 % 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 -0.5507 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 103,784 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population -0.5891 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.2372 % change on previous year (2100)
- World population growth -0.5% (2100)
- Population density 210.83 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 2.83 million people (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prison population rate in Japan?
- Prison population rate in Japan was 33 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 Japan?
- The highest recorded value was 64 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2006.
- What is the lowest prison population rate recorded in Japan?
- The lowest recorded value was 33 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2022.
- How does Japan rank for prison population rate?
- Japan ranks 197th out of 202 countries with data for 2024.
- Is prison population rate rising or falling in Japan?
- Over the last ten years it is down 31.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Japan 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.