Prison population rate in Russia
Russia: Prison population rate was 300 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2023. ▼ Falling
Prison population rate in Russia, 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 Russia is 300 prisoners per 100,000 people, measured in 2023. That is the lowest value across all 13 years on record.
The figure is down 6.8% on the previous year and down 43.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prison population rate in Russia peaked at 729 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2000 and was at its lowest, 300 prisoners per 100,000 people, in 2023.
Russia ranks 34th of 202 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 13 years of available data.
Prison population rate in Russia, year by year
| Year | prisoners per 100,000 people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 729 prisoners per 100,000 people | — |
| 2002 | 675 prisoners per 100,000 people | -7.4% |
| 2004 | 588 prisoners per 100,000 people | -12.9% |
| 2006 | 577 prisoners per 100,000 people | -1.9% |
| 2008 | 622 prisoners per 100,000 people | +7.8% |
| 2010 | 609 prisoners per 100,000 people | -2.1% |
| 2012 | 528 prisoners per 100,000 people | -13.3% |
| 2014 | 471 prisoners per 100,000 people | -10.8% |
| 2016 | 448 prisoners per 100,000 people | -4.9% |
| 2018 | 416 prisoners per 100,000 people | -7.1% |
| 2020 | 363 prisoners per 100,000 people | -12.7% |
| 2022 | 322 prisoners per 100,000 people | -11.3% |
| 2023 | 300 prisoners per 100,000 people | -6.8% |
Russia compared with similar countries
- Russia's 300 prisoners per 100,000 people is above the median for high income countries, which is 172.5 prisoners per 100,000 people, 1.7× the median. (80 countries reporting)
- Russia's 300 prisoners per 100,000 people is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 121 prisoners per 100,000 people, 2.5× the median. (53 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 638.2 prisoners per 100,000 people | 577 prisoners per 100,000 people | 729 prisoners per 100,000 people | 5 |
| 2010s | 494.4 prisoners per 100,000 people | 416 prisoners per 100,000 people | 609 prisoners per 100,000 people | 5 |
| 2020s | 328.33 prisoners per 100,000 people | 300 prisoners per 100,000 people | 363 prisoners per 100,000 people | 3 |
Countries ranked near Russia
- 31 Saint Lucia 310 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 32 Northern Mariana Islands 304 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 33 Belize 302 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 35 Peru 299 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 36 Martinique 298 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 37 Saint Kitts and Nevis 296 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
More population data for Russia
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -0.0822 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -1.8 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -0.0822 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.2412 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 133,133 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population -0.2976 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate 0.2771 % change on previous year (2100)
- World population growth -0.1% (2100)
- Population density 7.72 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 5.86 million people (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prison population rate in Russia?
- Prison population rate in Russia was 300 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 Russia?
- The highest recorded value was 729 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2000.
- What is the lowest prison population rate recorded in Russia?
- The lowest recorded value was 300 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2023.
- How does Russia rank for prison population rate?
- Russia ranks 34th out of 202 countries with data for 2023.
- Is prison population rate rising or falling in Russia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 43.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Russia 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.