Prison population rate in Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone: Prison population rate was 52 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2024. ▲ Rising
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.
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 growth rate, by level of development -0.1% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 983,692 people (2100)
- Population density 220.76 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth -0.1% (2100)
- Total fertility rate vs. wanted fertility rate 3.7 births per woman (2024)
- Refugees by country of asylum 0 people (2024)
- Fertility rate vs. unmet need for contraception 3.7 births per woman (2024)
- Total fertility rate vs. contraceptive prevalence 3.7 births per woman (2024)
- Natural population growth rate 2.2% (2023)
- Fertility rate: births per woman 3.79 live births per woman (2023)
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.