Prison population rate in Nicaragua
Nicaragua: Prison population rate was 332 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2018. ▲ Rising
Prison population rate in Nicaragua, 2000–2018
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 2018, prison population rate in Nicaragua stood at 332 prisoners per 100,000 people. That is the highest value across all 9 years on record.
That represents a change of up 39.5% on the previous year and up 176.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prison population rate in Nicaragua peaked at 332 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2018 and was at its lowest, 110 prisoners per 100,000 people, in 2006.
That places Nicaragua 25th out of 202 countries with data for 2018, putting it in the top quarter.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 121 prisoners per 100,000 people | 110 prisoners per 100,000 people | 131 prisoners per 100,000 people | 5 |
| 2010s | 225 prisoners per 100,000 people | 155 prisoners per 100,000 people | 332 prisoners per 100,000 people | 4 |
Countries ranked near Nicaragua
More population data for Nicaragua
- Population growth rate, by level of development -0.4% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 394,954 people (2100)
- Population density 71.56 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth -0.4% (2100)
- Total fertility rate vs. wanted fertility rate 2.21 births per woman (2024)
- Refugees by country of asylum 311 people (2023)
- Fertility rate vs. unmet need for contraception 2.21 births per woman (2024)
- Total fertility rate vs. contraceptive prevalence 2.21 births per woman (2024)
- Natural population growth rate 1.5% (2023)
- Fertility rate: births per woman 2.22 live births per woman (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prison population rate in Nicaragua?
- Prison population rate in Nicaragua was 332 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2018, 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 Nicaragua?
- The highest recorded value was 332 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2018.
- What is the lowest prison population rate recorded in Nicaragua?
- The lowest recorded value was 110 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2006.
- How does Nicaragua rank for prison population rate?
- Nicaragua ranks 25th out of 202 countries with data for 2018.
- Is prison population rate rising or falling in Nicaragua?
- Over the last ten years it is up 176.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Nicaragua 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.