Prison population rate in Samoa
Samoa: Prison population rate was 179 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2019. ▲ Rising
Latest (2019)
179 prisoners per 100,000 people
Change on year
down 11.4%
World rank
88th
of 202 countries
All-time high
250 prisoners per 100,000 people
in 2014
All-time low
99 prisoners per 100,000 people
in 2000
Years of data
8
2000–2019
Prison population rate in Samoa, 2000–2019
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
Samoa recorded 179 prisoners per 100,000 people for prison population rate in 2019.
The figure is down 11.4% on the previous year and down 21.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prison population rate in Samoa peaked at 250 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2014 and was at its lowest, 99 prisoners per 100,000 people, in 2000.
That places Samoa 88th out of 202 countries with data for 2019, putting it in the middle of the range.
Prison population rate in Samoa, year by year
| Year | prisoners per 100,000 people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 99 prisoners per 100,000 people | — |
| 2002 | 131 prisoners per 100,000 people | +32.3% |
| 2004 | 131 prisoners per 100,000 people | +0.0% |
| 2006 | 101 prisoners per 100,000 people | -22.9% |
| 2011 | 227 prisoners per 100,000 people | +124.8% |
| 2014 | 250 prisoners per 100,000 people | +10.1% |
| 2017 | 202 prisoners per 100,000 people | -19.2% |
| 2019 | 179 prisoners per 100,000 people | -11.4% |
Samoa compared with similar countries
- Samoa's 179 prisoners per 100,000 people is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 216 prisoners per 100,000 people, 83% of the median. (54 countries reporting)
- Samoa's 179 prisoners per 100,000 people is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 170 prisoners per 100,000 people, 1.1× the median. (35 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 115.5 prisoners per 100,000 people | 99 prisoners per 100,000 people | 131 prisoners per 100,000 people | 4 |
| 2010s | 214.5 prisoners per 100,000 people | 179 prisoners per 100,000 people | 250 prisoners per 100,000 people | 4 |
Countries ranked near Samoa
- 85 Macao 185 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 86 Myanmar 183 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 87 Sri Lanka 180 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 88 Czechia 179 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 88 Iraq 179 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 91 Singapore 178 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
More population data for Samoa
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.3243 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate 0.5509 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.3243 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.1344 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 320.02 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 1.35 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.3812 % change on previous year (2100)
- World population growth 0.3% (2100)
- Population density 137.97 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 25,608 people (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prison population rate in Samoa?
- Prison population rate in Samoa was 179 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2019, 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 Samoa?
- The highest recorded value was 250 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2014.
- What is the lowest prison population rate recorded in Samoa?
- The lowest recorded value was 99 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2000.
- How does Samoa rank for prison population rate?
- Samoa ranks 88th out of 202 countries with data for 2019.
- Is prison population rate rising or falling in Samoa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 21.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Samoa 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.