Prison population rate in South Korea
South Korea: Prison population rate was 115 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2023. ▼ Falling
Prison population rate in South Korea, 2000–2023
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
South Korea recorded 115 prisoners per 100,000 people for prison population rate in 2023.
That represents a change of up 9.5% on the previous year and up 25.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prison population rate in South Korea peaked at 136 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2000 and was at its lowest, 92 prisoners per 100,000 people, in 2012.
South Korea ranks 134th of 202 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 12 years of available data.
Prison population rate in South Korea, year by year
| Year | prisoners per 100,000 people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 136 prisoners per 100,000 people | — |
| 2002 | 131 prisoners per 100,000 people | -3.7% |
| 2004 | 121 prisoners per 100,000 people | -7.6% |
| 2006 | 98 prisoners per 100,000 people | -19.0% |
| 2008 | 96 prisoners per 100,000 people | -2.0% |
| 2010 | 97 prisoners per 100,000 people | +1.0% |
| 2012 | 92 prisoners per 100,000 people | -5.2% |
| 2014 | 100 prisoners per 100,000 people | +8.7% |
| 2016 | 112 prisoners per 100,000 people | +12.0% |
| 2018 | 108 prisoners per 100,000 people | -3.6% |
| 2020 | 105 prisoners per 100,000 people | -2.8% |
| 2023 | 115 prisoners per 100,000 people | +9.5% |
South Korea compared with similar countries
- South Korea's 115 prisoners per 100,000 people is below the median for high income countries, which is 172.5 prisoners per 100,000 people, 67% of the median. (80 countries reporting)
- South Korea's 115 prisoners per 100,000 people is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 170 prisoners per 100,000 people, 68% of the median. (35 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 116.4 prisoners per 100,000 people | 96 prisoners per 100,000 people | 136 prisoners per 100,000 people | 5 |
| 2010s | 101.8 prisoners per 100,000 people | 92 prisoners per 100,000 people | 112 prisoners per 100,000 people | 5 |
| 2020s | 110 prisoners per 100,000 people | 105 prisoners per 100,000 people | 115 prisoners per 100,000 people | 2 |
Countries ranked near South Korea
- 132 Lesotho 117 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 133 Ukraine 116 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 134 Croatia 115 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 136 Cyprus 114 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 137 Belgium 113 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 137 Kiribati 113 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
More population data for South Korea
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -1.44 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -2.17 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -1.44 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -1.17 % change on previous year (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.3601 % change on previous year (2100)
- World population growth -1.4% (2100)
- Population density 223.86 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 599,530 people (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development -1.4% (2100)
- Number of people living in urban and rural areas, annual growth rate -0.0908 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prison population rate in South Korea?
- Prison population rate in South Korea was 115 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 South Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 136 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2000.
- What is the lowest prison population rate recorded in South Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 92 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2012.
- How does South Korea rank for prison population rate?
- South Korea ranks 134th out of 202 countries with data for 2023.
- Is prison population rate rising or falling in South Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is up 25.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this South Korea 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.