Prison population rate in Libya
Libya: Prison population rate was 269 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2023. ▲ Rising
Latest (2023)
269 prisoners per 100,000 people
World rank
46th
of 202 countries
All-time high
269 prisoners per 100,000 people
in 2023
All-time low
52 prisoners per 100,000 people
in 2012
Years of data
6
2004–2023
Prison population rate in Libya, 2004–2023
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
In 2023, prison population rate in Libya stood at 269 prisoners per 100,000 people. That is the highest value across all 6 years on record.
That represents a change of up 417.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prison population rate in Libya peaked at 269 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2023 and was at its lowest, 52 prisoners per 100,000 people, in 2012.
Libya ranks 46th of 202 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
Prison population rate in Libya, year by year
| Year | prisoners per 100,000 people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 178 prisoners per 100,000 people | — |
| 2007 | 230 prisoners per 100,000 people | +29.2% |
| 2010 | 220 prisoners per 100,000 people | -4.3% |
| 2012 | 52 prisoners per 100,000 people | -76.4% |
| 2014 | 99 prisoners per 100,000 people | +90.4% |
| 2023 | 269 prisoners per 100,000 people | +171.7% |
Libya compared with similar countries
- Libya's 269 prisoners per 100,000 people is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 216 prisoners per 100,000 people, 1.2× the median. (54 countries reporting)
- Libya's 269 prisoners per 100,000 people is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 160 prisoners per 100,000 people, 1.7× the median. (18 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 204 prisoners per 100,000 people | 178 prisoners per 100,000 people | 230 prisoners per 100,000 people | 2 |
| 2010s | 123.67 prisoners per 100,000 people | 52 prisoners per 100,000 people | 220 prisoners per 100,000 people | 3 |
| 2020s | 269 prisoners per 100,000 people | 269 prisoners per 100,000 people | 269 prisoners per 100,000 people | 1 |
Countries ranked near Libya
- 43 Trinidad and Tobago 276 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 44 Gibraltar 273 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 45 Taiwan 270 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 47 Morocco 267 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 47 Tunisia 267 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 49 Azerbaijan 264 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
More population data for Libya
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -0.1882 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -3.49 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -0.1882 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.3412 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 8,540 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 0.9554 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.2302 % change on previous year (2100)
- World population growth -0.2% (2100)
- Population density 5.56 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 455,012 people (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prison population rate in Libya?
- Prison population rate in Libya was 269 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 Libya?
- The highest recorded value was 269 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2023.
- What is the lowest prison population rate recorded in Libya?
- The lowest recorded value was 52 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2012.
- How does Libya rank for prison population rate?
- Libya ranks 46th out of 202 countries with data for 2023.
- Is prison population rate rising or falling in Libya?
- Over the last ten years it is up 417.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Libya 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.