Prison population rate in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico: Prison population rate was 177 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2022. ▼ Falling
Prison population rate in Puerto Rico, 2000–2022
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
Puerto Rico recorded 177 prisoners per 100,000 people for prison population rate in 2022. That is the lowest value across all 11 years on record.
The figure is down 47.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prison population rate in Puerto Rico peaked at 384 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2000 and was at its lowest, 177 prisoners per 100,000 people, in 2022.
Puerto Rico ranks 92nd of 202 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 11 years of available data.
Prison population rate in Puerto Rico, year by year
| Year | prisoners per 100,000 people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 384 prisoners per 100,000 people | — |
| 2002 | 380 prisoners per 100,000 people | -1.0% |
| 2004 | 369 prisoners per 100,000 people | -2.9% |
| 2006 | 351 prisoners per 100,000 people | -4.9% |
| 2008 | 306 prisoners per 100,000 people | -12.8% |
| 2010 | 294 prisoners per 100,000 people | -3.9% |
| 2012 | 339 prisoners per 100,000 people | +15.3% |
| 2014 | 352 prisoners per 100,000 people | +3.8% |
| 2016 | 308 prisoners per 100,000 people | -12.5% |
| 2018 | 285 prisoners per 100,000 people | -7.5% |
| 2022 | 177 prisoners per 100,000 people | -37.9% |
Puerto Rico compared with similar countries
- Puerto Rico's 177 prisoners per 100,000 people is above the median for high income countries, which is 172.5 prisoners per 100,000 people, 1.0× the median. (80 countries reporting)
- Puerto Rico's 177 prisoners per 100,000 people is below the median for Latin America & Caribbean, which is 280 prisoners per 100,000 people, 63% of the median. (39 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 358 prisoners per 100,000 people | 306 prisoners per 100,000 people | 384 prisoners per 100,000 people | 5 |
| 2010s | 315.6 prisoners per 100,000 people | 285 prisoners per 100,000 people | 352 prisoners per 100,000 people | 5 |
| 2020s | 177 prisoners per 100,000 people | 177 prisoners per 100,000 people | 177 prisoners per 100,000 people | 1 |
Countries ranked near Puerto Rico
More population data for Puerto Rico
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -2.06 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -2.24 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -30.47 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -2.24 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development -2.3% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 23,218 people (2100)
- Population density 112.25 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth -2.3% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.7905 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, per capita 0.0575 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prison population rate in Puerto Rico?
- Prison population rate in Puerto Rico was 177 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2022, 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 Puerto Rico?
- The highest recorded value was 384 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2000.
- What is the lowest prison population rate recorded in Puerto Rico?
- The lowest recorded value was 177 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2022.
- How does Puerto Rico rank for prison population rate?
- Puerto Rico ranks 92nd out of 202 countries with data for 2022.
- Is prison population rate rising or falling in Puerto Rico?
- Over the last ten years it is down 47.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Puerto Rico 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.