Prison population rate in Latvia
Latvia: Prison population rate was 175 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2024. ▼ Falling
Prison population rate in Latvia, 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
Latvia recorded 175 prisoners per 100,000 people for prison population rate in 2024. That is the lowest value across all 12 years on record.
The figure is down 30.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prison population rate in Latvia peaked at 370 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2000 and was at its lowest, 175 prisoners per 100,000 people, in 2024.
That places Latvia 94th 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 12 years of available data.
Prison population rate in Latvia, year by year
| Year | prisoners per 100,000 people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 370 prisoners per 100,000 people | — |
| 2002 | 368 prisoners per 100,000 people | -0.5% |
| 2004 | 361 prisoners per 100,000 people | -1.9% |
| 2006 | 313 prisoners per 100,000 people | -13.3% |
| 2008 | 299 prisoners per 100,000 people | -4.5% |
| 2010 | 333 prisoners per 100,000 people | +11.4% |
| 2012 | 321 prisoners per 100,000 people | -3.6% |
| 2014 | 252 prisoners per 100,000 people | -21.5% |
| 2016 | 224 prisoners per 100,000 people | -11.1% |
| 2018 | 195 prisoners per 100,000 people | -12.9% |
| 2020 | 179 prisoners per 100,000 people | -8.2% |
| 2024 | 175 prisoners per 100,000 people | -2.2% |
Latvia compared with similar countries
- Latvia's 175 prisoners per 100,000 people is above the median for high income countries, which is 172.5 prisoners per 100,000 people, 1.0× the median. (80 countries reporting)
- Latvia's 175 prisoners per 100,000 people is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 121 prisoners per 100,000 people, 1.4× the median. (53 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 342.2 prisoners per 100,000 people | 299 prisoners per 100,000 people | 370 prisoners per 100,000 people | 5 |
| 2010s | 265 prisoners per 100,000 people | 195 prisoners per 100,000 people | 333 prisoners per 100,000 people | 5 |
| 2020s | 177 prisoners per 100,000 people | 175 prisoners per 100,000 people | 179 prisoners per 100,000 people | 2 |
Countries ranked near Latvia
- 91 Singapore 178 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 92 Puerto Rico 177 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 92 Serbia 177 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 95 Australia 170 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 95 Reunion 170 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 97 Jersey 169 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
More population data for Latvia
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -1.02 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -3.55 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -1.02 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.8064 % change on previous year (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.481 % change on previous year (2100)
- World population growth -1.0% (2100)
- Population density 14.87 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 31,860 people (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development -1.0% (2100)
- Number of people living in urban and rural areas, annual growth rate -0.7629 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prison population rate in Latvia?
- Prison population rate in Latvia was 175 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 Latvia?
- The highest recorded value was 370 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2000.
- What is the lowest prison population rate recorded in Latvia?
- The lowest recorded value was 175 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2024.
- How does Latvia rank for prison population rate?
- Latvia ranks 94th out of 202 countries with data for 2024.
- Is prison population rate rising or falling in Latvia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 30.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Latvia 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.