Prison population rate in Switzerland
Switzerland: Prison population rate was 77 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2025. ▬ Flat
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.
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 growth rate, by level of development 0.0% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 392,499 people (2100)
- Population density 230.99 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth 0.0% (2100)
- Total fertility rate vs. wanted fertility rate 1.29 births per woman (2024)
- Refugees by country of asylum 196,167 people (2024)
- Fertility rate vs. unmet need for contraception 1.29 births per woman (2024)
- Total fertility rate vs. contraceptive prevalence 1.29 births per woman (2024)
- Natural population growth rate 0.1% (2023)
- Fertility rate: births per woman 1.43 live births per woman (2023)
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.