Prison population rate in Sweden
Sweden: Prison population rate was 92 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2024. ▲ Rising
Prison population rate in Sweden, 2000–2024
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
Sweden recorded 92 prisoners per 100,000 people for prison population rate in 2024. That is the highest value across all 12 years on record.
That represents a change of up 50.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prison population rate in Sweden peaked at 92 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2024 and was at its lowest, 58 prisoners per 100,000 people, in 2016.
Sweden ranks 152nd of 202 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 12 years of available data.
Prison population rate in Sweden, year by year
| Year | prisoners per 100,000 people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 60 prisoners per 100,000 people | — |
| 2002 | 68 prisoners per 100,000 people | +13.3% |
| 2004 | 78 prisoners per 100,000 people | +14.7% |
| 2006 | 79 prisoners per 100,000 people | +1.3% |
| 2008 | 75 prisoners per 100,000 people | -5.1% |
| 2010 | 74 prisoners per 100,000 people | -1.3% |
| 2012 | 69 prisoners per 100,000 people | -6.8% |
| 2014 | 61 prisoners per 100,000 people | -11.6% |
| 2016 | 58 prisoners per 100,000 people | -4.9% |
| 2018 | 63 prisoners per 100,000 people | +8.6% |
| 2020 | 73 prisoners per 100,000 people | +15.9% |
| 2024 | 92 prisoners per 100,000 people | +26.0% |
Sweden compared with similar countries
- Sweden's 92 prisoners per 100,000 people is below the median for high income countries, which is 172.5 prisoners per 100,000 people, 53% of the median. (80 countries reporting)
- Sweden's 92 prisoners per 100,000 people is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 121 prisoners per 100,000 people, 76% of the median. (53 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 72 prisoners per 100,000 people | 60 prisoners per 100,000 people | 79 prisoners per 100,000 people | 5 |
| 2010s | 65 prisoners per 100,000 people | 58 prisoners per 100,000 people | 74 prisoners per 100,000 people | 5 |
| 2020s | 82.5 prisoners per 100,000 people | 73 prisoners per 100,000 people | 92 prisoners per 100,000 people | 2 |
Countries ranked near Sweden
- 149 Madagascar 95 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 150 Cote d'Ivoire 94 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 151 Nepal 93 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 153 Luxembourg 91 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 154 Burundi 90 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 154 Canada 90 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
More population data for Sweden
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -0.0422 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -0.7238 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -0.0422 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.1458 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 11,902 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 0.4642 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate 0.1484 % change on previous year (2100)
- World population growth -0.1% (2100)
- Population density 27.91 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 479,660 people (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prison population rate in Sweden?
- Prison population rate in Sweden was 92 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 Sweden?
- The highest recorded value was 92 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2024.
- What is the lowest prison population rate recorded in Sweden?
- The lowest recorded value was 58 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2016.
- How does Sweden rank for prison population rate?
- Sweden ranks 152nd out of 202 countries with data for 2024.
- Is prison population rate rising or falling in Sweden?
- Over the last ten years it is up 50.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Sweden 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.