Prison population rate in Rwanda
Rwanda: Prison population rate was 620 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2024. ▲ Rising
Prison population rate in Rwanda, 2010–2024
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
In 2024, prison population rate in Rwanda stood at 620 prisoners per 100,000 people.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 0.2% on the previous year and up 26.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prison population rate in Rwanda peaked at 621 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2022 and was at its lowest, 440 prisoners per 100,000 people, in 2016.
Rwanda ranks 2nd of 202 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
Prison population rate in Rwanda, year by year
| Year | prisoners per 100,000 people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 547 prisoners per 100,000 people | — |
| 2012 | 553 prisoners per 100,000 people | +1.1% |
| 2014 | 491 prisoners per 100,000 people | -11.2% |
| 2016 | 440 prisoners per 100,000 people | -10.4% |
| 2018 | 544 prisoners per 100,000 people | +23.6% |
| 2020 | 545 prisoners per 100,000 people | +0.2% |
| 2022 | 621 prisoners per 100,000 people | +13.9% |
| 2024 | 620 prisoners per 100,000 people | -0.2% |
Rwanda compared with similar countries
- Rwanda's 620 prisoners per 100,000 people is above the median for low income countries, which is 55.5 prisoners per 100,000 people, 11.2× the median. (18 countries reporting)
- Rwanda's 620 prisoners per 100,000 people is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 90 prisoners per 100,000 people, 6.9× the median. (39 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 515 prisoners per 100,000 people | 440 prisoners per 100,000 people | 553 prisoners per 100,000 people | 5 |
| 2020s | 595.33 prisoners per 100,000 people | 545 prisoners per 100,000 people | 621 prisoners per 100,000 people | 3 |
Countries ranked near Rwanda
- 1 El Salvador 1,659 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 3 Turkmenistan 576 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 4 United States 542 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 5 American Samoa 538 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
More population data for Rwanda
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.2755 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.2673 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -0.5502 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.2673 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development 0.2% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 2.01 million people (2100)
- Population density 1,329 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth 0.2% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.4596 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 2.06 Percent per annum (2030)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prison population rate in Rwanda?
- Prison population rate in Rwanda was 620 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 Rwanda?
- The highest recorded value was 621 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2022.
- What is the lowest prison population rate recorded in Rwanda?
- The lowest recorded value was 440 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2016.
- How does Rwanda rank for prison population rate?
- Rwanda ranks 2nd out of 202 countries with data for 2024.
- Is prison population rate rising or falling in Rwanda?
- Over the last ten years it is up 26.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Rwanda 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.