Prison population rate in Switzerland
Switzerland: Prison population rate was 77 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2025. ▬ Flat
Latest (2025)
77 prisoners per 100,000 people
Change on year
up 6.9%
World rank
159th
of 202 countries
All-time high
84 prisoners per 100,000 people
in 2014
All-time low
68 prisoners per 100,000 people
in 2002
Years of data
13
2000–2025
Prison population rate in Switzerland, 2000–2025
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
Switzerland recorded 77 prisoners per 100,000 people for prison population rate in 2025.
That represents a change of up 6.9% on the previous year and down 8.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prison population rate in Switzerland peaked at 84 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2014 and was at its lowest, 68 prisoners per 100,000 people, in 2002.
Switzerland ranks 159th of 202 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
Prison population rate in Switzerland, year by year
| Year | prisoners per 100,000 people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 80 prisoners per 100,000 people | — |
| 2002 | 68 prisoners per 100,000 people | -15.0% |
| 2004 | 81 prisoners per 100,000 people | +19.1% |
| 2006 | 79 prisoners per 100,000 people | -2.5% |
| 2008 | 75 prisoners per 100,000 people | -5.1% |
| 2010 | 79 prisoners per 100,000 people | +5.3% |
| 2012 | 82 prisoners per 100,000 people | +3.8% |
| 2014 | 84 prisoners per 100,000 people | +2.4% |
| 2016 | 82 prisoners per 100,000 people | -2.4% |
| 2018 | 82 prisoners per 100,000 people | +0.0% |
| 2020 | 80 prisoners per 100,000 people | -2.4% |
| 2022 | 72 prisoners per 100,000 people | -10.0% |
| 2025 | 77 prisoners per 100,000 people | +6.9% |
Switzerland compared with similar countries
- Switzerland's 77 prisoners per 100,000 people is below the median for high income countries, which is 172.5 prisoners per 100,000 people, 45% of the median. (80 countries reporting)
- Switzerland's 77 prisoners per 100,000 people is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 121 prisoners per 100,000 people, 64% of the median. (53 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 76.6 prisoners per 100,000 people | 68 prisoners per 100,000 people | 81 prisoners per 100,000 people | 5 |
| 2010s | 81.8 prisoners per 100,000 people | 79 prisoners per 100,000 people | 84 prisoners per 100,000 people | 5 |
| 2020s | 76.33 prisoners per 100,000 people | 72 prisoners per 100,000 people | 80 prisoners per 100,000 people | 3 |
Countries ranked near Switzerland
- 156 Armenia 83 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 157 Monaco 81 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 158 Malawi 78 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 160 Senegal 76 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 161 Djibouti 74 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 161 Solomon Islands 74 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
More population data for Switzerland
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.0652 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -0.0595 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.0652 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.2093 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 9,754 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 0.4828 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.1371 % change on previous year (2100)
- World population growth 0.0% (2100)
- Population density 230.99 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 392,499 people (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prison population rate in Switzerland?
- Prison population rate in Switzerland was 77 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2025, 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 Switzerland?
- The highest recorded value was 84 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2014.
- What is the lowest prison population rate recorded in Switzerland?
- The lowest recorded value was 68 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2002.
- How does Switzerland rank for prison population rate?
- Switzerland ranks 159th out of 202 countries with data for 2025.
- Is prison population rate rising or falling in Switzerland?
- Over the last ten years it is down 8.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Switzerland 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.