Prison population rate in Pakistan
Pakistan: Prison population rate was 45 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2024. ▼ Falling
Latest (2024)
45 prisoners per 100,000 people
World rank
191st
of 202 countries
All-time high
57 prisoners per 100,000 people
in 2004
All-time low
37 prisoners per 100,000 people
in 2020
Years of data
9
2000–2024
Prison population rate in Pakistan, 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 Pakistan is 45 prisoners per 100,000 people, measured in 2024.
That represents a change of up 12.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prison population rate in Pakistan peaked at 57 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2004 and was at its lowest, 37 prisoners per 100,000 people, in 2020.
Pakistan ranks 191st of 202 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
Prison population rate in Pakistan, year by year
| Year | prisoners per 100,000 people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 56 prisoners per 100,000 people | — |
| 2004 | 57 prisoners per 100,000 people | +1.8% |
| 2006 | 53 prisoners per 100,000 people | -7.0% |
| 2009 | 46 prisoners per 100,000 people | -13.2% |
| 2012 | 40 prisoners per 100,000 people | -13.0% |
| 2016 | 41 prisoners per 100,000 people | +2.5% |
| 2018 | 40 prisoners per 100,000 people | -2.4% |
| 2020 | 37 prisoners per 100,000 people | -7.5% |
| 2024 | 45 prisoners per 100,000 people | +21.6% |
Pakistan compared with similar countries
- Pakistan's 45 prisoners per 100,000 people is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 106 prisoners per 100,000 people, 42% of the median. (40 countries reporting)
- Pakistan's 45 prisoners per 100,000 people is below the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 160 prisoners per 100,000 people, 28% of the median. (18 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 53 prisoners per 100,000 people | 46 prisoners per 100,000 people | 57 prisoners per 100,000 people | 4 |
| 2010s | 40.33 prisoners per 100,000 people | 40 prisoners per 100,000 people | 41 prisoners per 100,000 people | 3 |
| 2020s | 41 prisoners per 100,000 people | 37 prisoners per 100,000 people | 45 prisoners per 100,000 people | 2 |
Countries ranked near Pakistan
- 188 Bangladesh 46 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 188 Comoros 46 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 188 Oman 46 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 192 Ghana 41 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 192 Tanzania 41 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 194 Burkina Faso 37 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 194 India 37 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
More population data for Pakistan
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.1692 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate 0.7801 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.1692 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.1091 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 367,808 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 1.8 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.5037 % change on previous year (2100)
- World population growth 0.2% (2100)
- Population density 662.88 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 32.24 million people (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prison population rate in Pakistan?
- Prison population rate in Pakistan was 45 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 Pakistan?
- The highest recorded value was 57 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2004.
- What is the lowest prison population rate recorded in Pakistan?
- The lowest recorded value was 37 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2020.
- How does Pakistan rank for prison population rate?
- Pakistan ranks 191st out of 202 countries with data for 2024.
- Is prison population rate rising or falling in Pakistan?
- Over the last ten years it is up 12.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Pakistan 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.