Prison population rate in Kenya
Kenya: Prison population rate was 100 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2024. ▼ Falling
Prison population rate in Kenya, 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
Kenya recorded 100 prisoners per 100,000 people for prison population rate in 2024.
The figure is down 6.5% on the previous year and down 18.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prison population rate in Kenya peaked at 150 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2004 and was at its lowest, 81 prisoners per 100,000 people, in 2020.
That places Kenya 144th out of 202 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 13 years of available data.
Prison population rate in Kenya, year by year
| Year | prisoners per 100,000 people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 129 prisoners per 100,000 people | — |
| 2002 | 108 prisoners per 100,000 people | -16.3% |
| 2004 | 150 prisoners per 100,000 people | +38.9% |
| 2006 | 129 prisoners per 100,000 people | -14.0% |
| 2008 | 119 prisoners per 100,000 people | -7.8% |
| 2010 | 118 prisoners per 100,000 people | -0.8% |
| 2012 | 103 prisoners per 100,000 people | -12.7% |
| 2014 | 123 prisoners per 100,000 people | +19.4% |
| 2016 | 108 prisoners per 100,000 people | -12.2% |
| 2018 | 108 prisoners per 100,000 people | +0.0% |
| 2020 | 81 prisoners per 100,000 people | -25.0% |
| 2022 | 107 prisoners per 100,000 people | +32.1% |
| 2024 | 100 prisoners per 100,000 people | -6.5% |
Kenya compared with similar countries
- Kenya's 100 prisoners per 100,000 people is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 106 prisoners per 100,000 people, 94% of the median. (40 countries reporting)
- Kenya's 100 prisoners per 100,000 people is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 90 prisoners per 100,000 people, 1.1× the median. (39 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 127 prisoners per 100,000 people | 108 prisoners per 100,000 people | 150 prisoners per 100,000 people | 5 |
| 2010s | 112 prisoners per 100,000 people | 103 prisoners per 100,000 people | 123 prisoners per 100,000 people | 5 |
| 2020s | 96 prisoners per 100,000 people | 81 prisoners per 100,000 people | 107 prisoners per 100,000 people | 3 |
Countries ranked near Kenya
- 141 Italy 108 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 142 Austria 104 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 143 Ireland 101 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 145 Bulgaria 99 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 145 Ethiopia 99 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 147 Greece 98 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
More population data for Kenya
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.1094 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -0.0288 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -2.22 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -0.0288 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development -0.0% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 6.40 million people (2100)
- Population density 183.07 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth -0.0% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.7363 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 1.9 Percent per annum (2030)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prison population rate in Kenya?
- Prison population rate in Kenya was 100 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 Kenya?
- The highest recorded value was 150 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2004.
- What is the lowest prison population rate recorded in Kenya?
- The lowest recorded value was 81 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2020.
- How does Kenya rank for prison population rate?
- Kenya ranks 144th out of 202 countries with data for 2024.
- Is prison population rate rising or falling in Kenya?
- Over the last ten years it is down 18.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Kenya 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.