Prison population rate in Netherlands
Netherlands: Prison population rate was 64 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2023. ▼ Falling
Prison population rate in Netherlands, 2000–2023
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
The most recent figure for prison population rate in Netherlands is 64 prisoners per 100,000 people, measured in 2023.
That represents a change of up 4.9% on the previous year and down 22.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prison population rate in Netherlands peaked at 125 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2006 and was at its lowest, 59 prisoners per 100,000 people, in 2016.
That places Netherlands 171st out of 202 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 13 years of available data.
Prison population rate in Netherlands, year by year
| Year | prisoners per 100,000 people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 87 prisoners per 100,000 people | — |
| 2002 | 100 prisoners per 100,000 people | +14.9% |
| 2004 | 123 prisoners per 100,000 people | +23.0% |
| 2006 | 125 prisoners per 100,000 people | +1.6% |
| 2008 | 100 prisoners per 100,000 people | -20.0% |
| 2010 | 92 prisoners per 100,000 people | -8.0% |
| 2012 | 82 prisoners per 100,000 people | -10.9% |
| 2014 | 69 prisoners per 100,000 people | -15.9% |
| 2016 | 59 prisoners per 100,000 people | -14.5% |
| 2018 | 63 prisoners per 100,000 people | +6.8% |
| 2020 | 60 prisoners per 100,000 people | -4.8% |
| 2022 | 61 prisoners per 100,000 people | +1.7% |
| 2023 | 64 prisoners per 100,000 people | +4.9% |
Netherlands compared with similar countries
- Netherlands's 64 prisoners per 100,000 people is below the median for high income countries, which is 172.5 prisoners per 100,000 people, 37% of the median. (80 countries reporting)
- Netherlands's 64 prisoners per 100,000 people is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 121 prisoners per 100,000 people, 53% of the median. (53 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 107 prisoners per 100,000 people | 87 prisoners per 100,000 people | 125 prisoners per 100,000 people | 5 |
| 2010s | 73 prisoners per 100,000 people | 59 prisoners per 100,000 people | 92 prisoners per 100,000 people | 5 |
| 2020s | 61.67 prisoners per 100,000 people | 60 prisoners per 100,000 people | 64 prisoners per 100,000 people | 3 |
Countries ranked near Netherlands
- 168 Vanuatu 68 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 169 Marshall Islands 66 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 170 Angola 65 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 172 Mozambique 63 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 173 Liberia 60 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 174 Haiti 59 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 174 Togo 59 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
More population data for Netherlands
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -0.1961 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -0.5458 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -0.1961 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.1463 % change on previous year (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.2761 % change on previous year (2100)
- World population growth -0.2% (2100)
- Population density 519.97 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 757,165 people (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development -0.2% (2100)
- Number of people living in urban and rural areas, annual growth rate 0.9625 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prison population rate in Netherlands?
- Prison population rate in Netherlands was 64 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 Netherlands?
- The highest recorded value was 125 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2006.
- What is the lowest prison population rate recorded in Netherlands?
- The lowest recorded value was 59 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2016.
- How does Netherlands rank for prison population rate?
- Netherlands ranks 171st out of 202 countries with data for 2023.
- Is prison population rate rising or falling in Netherlands?
- Over the last ten years it is down 22.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Netherlands 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.