Prison population rate in Nauru
Nauru: Prison population rate was 345 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2023)
345 prisoners per 100,000 people
World rank
21st
of 202 countries
All-time high
370 prisoners per 100,000 people
in 2009
All-time low
30 prisoners per 100,000 people
in 2005
Years of data
5
2003–2023
Prison population rate in Nauru, 2003–2023
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
Nauru recorded 345 prisoners per 100,000 people for prison population rate in 2023.
That represents a change of up 32.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prison population rate in Nauru peaked at 370 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2009 and was at its lowest, 30 prisoners per 100,000 people, in 2005.
That places Nauru 21st out of 202 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the top 10%.
Prison population rate in Nauru, year by year
| Year | prisoners per 100,000 people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 60 prisoners per 100,000 people | — |
| 2005 | 30 prisoners per 100,000 people | -50.0% |
| 2009 | 370 prisoners per 100,000 people | +1133.3% |
| 2012 | 260 prisoners per 100,000 people | -29.7% |
| 2023 | 345 prisoners per 100,000 people | +32.7% |
Nauru compared with similar countries
- Nauru's 345 prisoners per 100,000 people is above the median for high income countries, which is 172.5 prisoners per 100,000 people, 2.0× the median. (80 countries reporting)
- Nauru's 345 prisoners per 100,000 people is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 170 prisoners per 100,000 people, 2.0× the median. (35 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 153.33 prisoners per 100,000 people | 30 prisoners per 100,000 people | 370 prisoners per 100,000 people | 3 |
| 2010s | 260 prisoners per 100,000 people | 260 prisoners per 100,000 people | 260 prisoners per 100,000 people | 1 |
| 2020s | 345 prisoners per 100,000 people | 345 prisoners per 100,000 people | 345 prisoners per 100,000 people | 1 |
Countries ranked near Nauru
- 18 Palau 367 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 19 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 361 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 20 Dominica 356 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 21 Belarus 345 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 21 Costa Rica 345 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 24 Bahamas 336 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
More population data for Nauru
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.1598 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -100 % change on previous year (2049)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.1598 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -1.05 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 14.7 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 0.5419 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.2823 % change on previous year (2100)
- World population growth 0.2% (2100)
- Population density 1,034 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 1,413 people (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prison population rate in Nauru?
- Prison population rate in Nauru was 345 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 Nauru?
- The highest recorded value was 370 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2009.
- What is the lowest prison population rate recorded in Nauru?
- The lowest recorded value was 30 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2005.
- How does Nauru rank for prison population rate?
- Nauru ranks 21st out of 202 countries with data for 2023.
- Is prison population rate rising or falling in Nauru?
- Over the last ten years it is up 32.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Nauru 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.