Prison population rate in Liberia
Liberia: Prison population rate was 60 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2025. ▲ Rising
Latest (2025)
60 prisoners per 100,000 people
World rank
173rd
of 202 countries
All-time high
60 prisoners per 100,000 people
in 2025
All-time low
29 prisoners per 100,000 people
in 2007
Years of data
8
2007–2025
Prison population rate in Liberia, 2007–2025
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
Liberia recorded 60 prisoners per 100,000 people for prison population rate in 2025. That is the highest value across all 8 years on record.
The figure is up 22.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prison population rate in Liberia peaked at 60 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2025 and was at its lowest, 29 prisoners per 100,000 people, in 2007.
That places Liberia 173rd out of 202 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the bottom quarter.
Prison population rate in Liberia, year by year
| Year | prisoners per 100,000 people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 29 prisoners per 100,000 people | — |
| 2009 | 37 prisoners per 100,000 people | +27.6% |
| 2011 | 39 prisoners per 100,000 people | +5.4% |
| 2013 | 43 prisoners per 100,000 people | +10.3% |
| 2015 | 49 prisoners per 100,000 people | +14.0% |
| 2017 | 47 prisoners per 100,000 people | -4.1% |
| 2019 | 54 prisoners per 100,000 people | +14.9% |
| 2025 | 60 prisoners per 100,000 people | +11.1% |
Liberia compared with similar countries
- Liberia's 60 prisoners per 100,000 people is above the median for low income countries, which is 55.5 prisoners per 100,000 people, 1.1× the median. (18 countries reporting)
- Liberia's 60 prisoners per 100,000 people is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 90 prisoners per 100,000 people, 67% of the median. (39 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 33 prisoners per 100,000 people | 29 prisoners per 100,000 people | 37 prisoners per 100,000 people | 2 |
| 2010s | 46.4 prisoners per 100,000 people | 39 prisoners per 100,000 people | 54 prisoners per 100,000 people | 5 |
| 2020s | 60 prisoners per 100,000 people | 60 prisoners per 100,000 people | 60 prisoners per 100,000 people | 1 |
Countries ranked near Liberia
- 170 Angola 65 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 171 Netherlands 64 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 172 Mozambique 63 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 174 Haiti 59 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 174 Togo 59 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 176 Mauritania 57 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 176 Papua New Guinea 57 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
More population data for Liberia
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.2874 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.1439 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -0.7859 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.1439 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development 0.2% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 852,118 people (2100)
- Population density 131.49 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth 0.2% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.3986 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 2.07 Percent per annum (2030)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prison population rate in Liberia?
- Prison population rate in Liberia was 60 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2025, 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 Liberia?
- The highest recorded value was 60 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2025.
- What is the lowest prison population rate recorded in Liberia?
- The lowest recorded value was 29 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2007.
- How does Liberia rank for prison population rate?
- Liberia ranks 173rd out of 202 countries with data for 2025.
- Is prison population rate rising or falling in Liberia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 22.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Liberia 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.