Prison population rate in Mexico
Mexico: Prison population rate was 188 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2025. ▬ Flat
Prison population rate in Mexico, 2000–2025
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
In 2025, prison population rate in Mexico stood at 188 prisoners per 100,000 people.
The figure is up 8.7% on the previous year and down 11.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prison population rate in Mexico peaked at 212 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2014 and was at its lowest, 156 prisoners per 100,000 people, in 2000.
Mexico ranks 81st of 202 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 182 prisoners per 100,000 people | 156 prisoners per 100,000 people | 202 prisoners per 100,000 people | 5 |
| 2010s | 187.6 prisoners per 100,000 people | 156 prisoners per 100,000 people | 212 prisoners per 100,000 people | 5 |
| 2020s | 176.67 prisoners per 100,000 people | 169 prisoners per 100,000 people | 188 prisoners per 100,000 people | 3 |
Countries ranked near Mexico
- 79 Jordan 194 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 80 Poland 191 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 81 Honduras 188 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 83 Isle of Man 186 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 83 New Caledonia 186 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
More population data for Mexico
- Population growth rate, by level of development -0.6% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 5.55 million people (2100)
- Population density 67 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth -0.6% (2100)
- Total fertility rate vs. wanted fertility rate 1.89 births per woman (2024)
- Refugees by country of asylum 150,836 people (2024)
- Fertility rate vs. unmet need for contraception 1.89 births per woman (2024)
- Total fertility rate vs. contraceptive prevalence 1.89 births per woman (2024)
- Natural population growth rate 1.0% (2023)
- Fertility rate: births per woman 1.91 live births per woman (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prison population rate in Mexico?
- Prison population rate in Mexico was 188 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 Mexico?
- The highest recorded value was 212 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2014.
- What is the lowest prison population rate recorded in Mexico?
- The lowest recorded value was 156 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2000.
- How does Mexico rank for prison population rate?
- Mexico ranks 81st out of 202 countries with data for 2025.
- Is prison population rate rising or falling in Mexico?
- Over the last ten years it is down 11.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Mexico 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.