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

02040602000201220242000: 56 prisoners per 100,000 people2004: 57 prisoners per 100,000 people2006: 53 prisoners per 100,000 people2009: 46 prisoners per 100,000 people2012: 40 prisoners per 100,000 people2016: 41 prisoners per 100,000 people2018: 40 prisoners per 100,000 people2020: 37 prisoners per 100,000 people2024: 45 prisoners per 100,000 people

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.

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest 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

  1. 188 Bangladesh 46 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
  2. 188 Comoros 46 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
  3. 188 Oman 46 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
  4. 192 Ghana 41 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
  5. 192 Tanzania 41 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
  6. 194 Burkina Faso 37 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
  7. 194 India 37 prisoners per 100,000 people compare

See the full ranking of 202 places →

More population data for Pakistan

All data for Pakistan →

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

Indicator
Prison population rate
Unit
prisoners per 100,000 people
Source
Institute for Crime & Justice Policy Research (2026); Population based on various sources (2024) – with minor processing by Our World in Data
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage
202 places, 2,155 data points, 1993–2026
Last refreshed

Prison population (including pre-trial detainees and remand prisoners), per 100,000 population.