Prison population rate in Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone: Prison population rate was 52 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2024. ▲ Rising
Latest (2024)
52 prisoners per 100,000 people
Change on year
down 8.8%
World rank
184th
of 202 countries
All-time high
58 prisoners per 100,000 people
in 2018
All-time low
30 prisoners per 100,000 people
in 2008
Years of data
9
2008–2024
Prison population rate in Sierra Leone, 2008–2024
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 Sierra Leone stood at 52 prisoners per 100,000 people.
That represents a change of down 8.8% on the previous year and up 4.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prison population rate in Sierra Leone peaked at 58 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2018 and was at its lowest, 30 prisoners per 100,000 people, in 2008.
That places Sierra Leone 184th out of 202 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the bottom quarter.
Prison population rate in Sierra Leone, year by year
| Year | prisoners per 100,000 people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 30 prisoners per 100,000 people | — |
| 2010 | 34 prisoners per 100,000 people | +13.3% |
| 2012 | 40 prisoners per 100,000 people | +17.6% |
| 2014 | 50 prisoners per 100,000 people | +25.0% |
| 2016 | 45 prisoners per 100,000 people | -10.0% |
| 2018 | 58 prisoners per 100,000 people | +28.9% |
| 2020 | 47 prisoners per 100,000 people | -19.0% |
| 2022 | 57 prisoners per 100,000 people | +21.3% |
| 2024 | 52 prisoners per 100,000 people | -8.8% |
Sierra Leone compared with similar countries
- Sierra Leone's 52 prisoners per 100,000 people is below the median for low income countries, which is 55.5 prisoners per 100,000 people, 94% of the median. (18 countries reporting)
- Sierra Leone's 52 prisoners per 100,000 people is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 90 prisoners per 100,000 people, 58% of the median. (39 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 30 prisoners per 100,000 people | 30 prisoners per 100,000 people | 30 prisoners per 100,000 people | 1 |
| 2010s | 45.4 prisoners per 100,000 people | 34 prisoners per 100,000 people | 58 prisoners per 100,000 people | 5 |
| 2020s | 52 prisoners per 100,000 people | 47 prisoners per 100,000 people | 57 prisoners per 100,000 people | 3 |
Countries ranked near Sierra Leone
- 181 Afghanistan 54 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 181 Finland 54 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 181 Norway 54 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 184 Central African Republic 52 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 184 Sudan 52 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 187 Mali 48 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
More population data for Sierra Leone
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -0.1141 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -1.21 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -0.1141 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.076 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 13,595 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 1.9 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.6516 % change on previous year (2100)
- World population growth -0.1% (2100)
- Population density 220.76 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 983,692 people (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prison population rate in Sierra Leone?
- Prison population rate in Sierra Leone was 52 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 Sierra Leone?
- The highest recorded value was 58 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2018.
- What is the lowest prison population rate recorded in Sierra Leone?
- The lowest recorded value was 30 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2008.
- How does Sierra Leone rank for prison population rate?
- Sierra Leone ranks 184th out of 202 countries with data for 2024.
- Is prison population rate rising or falling in Sierra Leone?
- Over the last ten years it is up 4.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Sierra Leone 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.