Prison population rate in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia: Prison population rate was 140 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2019. ▲ Rising
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.
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
- 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)
- Total fertility rate vs. wanted fertility rate 2.31 births per woman (2024)
- Refugees by country of asylum 448 people (2024)
- Fertility rate vs. unmet need for contraception 2.31 births per woman (2024)
- Total fertility rate vs. contraceptive prevalence 2.31 births per woman (2024)
- Natural population growth rate 1.4% (2023)
- Fertility rate: births per woman 2.28 live births per woman (2023)
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.
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About this data
Prison population (including pre-trial detainees and remand prisoners), per 100,000 population.