Prison population rate in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia: Prison population rate was 140 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2019. ▲ Rising
Latest (2019)
140 prisoners per 100,000 people
World rank
113th
of 202 countries
All-time high
176 prisoners per 100,000 people
in 2011
All-time low
116 prisoners per 100,000 people
in 2000
Years of data
7
1998–2019
Prison population rate in Saudi Arabia, 1998–2019
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
In 2019, prison population rate in Saudi Arabia stood at 140 prisoners per 100,000 people.
The figure is down 15.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prison population rate in Saudi Arabia peaked at 176 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2011 and was at its lowest, 116 prisoners per 100,000 people, in 2000.
Saudi Arabia ranks 113th of 202 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Prison population rate in Saudi Arabia, year by year
| Year | prisoners per 100,000 people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 120 prisoners per 100,000 people | — |
| 2000 | 116 prisoners per 100,000 people | -3.3% |
| 2002 | 131 prisoners per 100,000 people | +12.9% |
| 2009 | 165 prisoners per 100,000 people | +26.0% |
| 2011 | 176 prisoners per 100,000 people | +6.7% |
| 2013 | 161 prisoners per 100,000 people | -8.5% |
| 2019 | 140 prisoners per 100,000 people | -13.0% |
Saudi Arabia compared with similar countries
- Saudi Arabia's 140 prisoners per 100,000 people is below the median for high income countries, which is 172.5 prisoners per 100,000 people, 81% of the median. (80 countries reporting)
- Saudi Arabia's 140 prisoners per 100,000 people is below the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 160 prisoners per 100,000 people, 88% of the median. (18 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 120 prisoners per 100,000 people | 120 prisoners per 100,000 people | 120 prisoners per 100,000 people | 1 |
| 2000s | 137.33 prisoners per 100,000 people | 116 prisoners per 100,000 people | 165 prisoners per 100,000 people | 3 |
| 2010s | 159 prisoners per 100,000 people | 140 prisoners per 100,000 people | 176 prisoners per 100,000 people | 3 |
Countries ranked near Saudi Arabia
- 110 Brunei 143 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 111 North Macedonia 142 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 112 Lebanon 141 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 114 United Kingdom 139.33 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 115 Hong Kong 139 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 116 Zambia 137 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
More population data for Saudi Arabia
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.1019 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.6339 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate 0.5774 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.6339 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development 0.6% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 4.10 million people (2100)
- Population density 33.03 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth 0.6% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate 0.5868 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 1.2 Percent per annum (2030)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prison population rate in Saudi Arabia?
- Prison population rate in Saudi Arabia was 140 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 Saudi Arabia?
- The highest recorded value was 176 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2011.
- What is the lowest prison population rate recorded in Saudi Arabia?
- The lowest recorded value was 116 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2000.
- How does Saudi Arabia rank for prison population rate?
- Saudi Arabia ranks 113th out of 202 countries with data for 2019.
- Is prison population rate rising or falling in Saudi Arabia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 15.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Saudi Arabia 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.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 7 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Prison population (including pre-trial detainees and remand prisoners), per 100,000 population.