Prison population rate in Malawi
Malawi: Prison population rate was 78 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2024. ▬ Flat
Latest (2024)
78 prisoners per 100,000 people
World rank
158th
of 202 countries
All-time high
79 prisoners per 100,000 people
in 2016
All-time low
69 prisoners per 100,000 people
in 2000
Years of data
10
2000–2024
Prison population rate in Malawi, 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
The most recent figure for prison population rate in Malawi is 78 prisoners per 100,000 people, measured in 2024.
The figure is up 6.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prison population rate in Malawi peaked at 79 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2016 and was at its lowest, 69 prisoners per 100,000 people, in 2000.
That places Malawi 158th out of 202 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the bottom quarter.
Prison population rate in Malawi, year by year
| Year | prisoners per 100,000 people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 69 prisoners per 100,000 people | — |
| 2002 | 75 prisoners per 100,000 people | +8.7% |
| 2004 | 74 prisoners per 100,000 people | -1.3% |
| 2010 | 78 prisoners per 100,000 people | +5.4% |
| 2012 | 77 prisoners per 100,000 people | -1.3% |
| 2014 | 73 prisoners per 100,000 people | -5.2% |
| 2016 | 79 prisoners per 100,000 people | +8.2% |
| 2018 | 73 prisoners per 100,000 people | -7.6% |
| 2020 | 71 prisoners per 100,000 people | -2.7% |
| 2024 | 78 prisoners per 100,000 people | +9.9% |
Malawi compared with similar countries
- Malawi's 78 prisoners per 100,000 people is above the median for low income countries, which is 55.5 prisoners per 100,000 people, 1.4× the median. (18 countries reporting)
- Malawi's 78 prisoners per 100,000 people is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 90 prisoners per 100,000 people, 87% of the median. (39 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 72.67 prisoners per 100,000 people | 69 prisoners per 100,000 people | 75 prisoners per 100,000 people | 3 |
| 2010s | 76 prisoners per 100,000 people | 73 prisoners per 100,000 people | 79 prisoners per 100,000 people | 5 |
| 2020s | 74.5 prisoners per 100,000 people | 71 prisoners per 100,000 people | 78 prisoners per 100,000 people | 2 |
Countries ranked near Malawi
- 156 Armenia 83 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 157 Monaco 81 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 159 Switzerland 77 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 160 Senegal 76 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 161 Djibouti 74 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 161 Solomon Islands 74 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
More population data for Malawi
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.3622 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.4293 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate 0.1183 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.4293 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development 0.4% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 3.85 million people (2100)
- Population density 627.29 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth 0.4% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.2289 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 2.45 Percent per annum (2030)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prison population rate in Malawi?
- Prison population rate in Malawi was 78 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 Malawi?
- The highest recorded value was 79 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2016.
- What is the lowest prison population rate recorded in Malawi?
- The lowest recorded value was 69 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2000.
- How does Malawi rank for prison population rate?
- Malawi ranks 158th out of 202 countries with data for 2024.
- Is prison population rate rising or falling in Malawi?
- Over the last ten years it is up 6.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Malawi 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.