Prison population rate in Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago: Prison population rate was 276 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2021. ▼ Falling
Prison population rate in Trinidad and Tobago, 2000–2021
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
The most recent figure for prison population rate in Trinidad and Tobago is 276 prisoners per 100,000 people, measured in 2021.
The figure is down 5.5% on the previous year and down 2.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prison population rate in Trinidad and Tobago peaked at 365 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2000 and was at its lowest, 268 prisoners per 100,000 people, in 2006.
That places Trinidad and Tobago 43rd out of 202 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the top quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 10 years of available data.
Prison population rate in Trinidad and Tobago, year by year
| Year | prisoners per 100,000 people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 365 prisoners per 100,000 people | — |
| 2002 | 337 prisoners per 100,000 people | -7.7% |
| 2004 | 304 prisoners per 100,000 people | -9.8% |
| 2006 | 268 prisoners per 100,000 people | -11.8% |
| 2008 | 283 prisoners per 100,000 people | +5.6% |
| 2010 | 283 prisoners per 100,000 people | +0.0% |
| 2012 | 284 prisoners per 100,000 people | +0.4% |
| 2015 | 270 prisoners per 100,000 people | -4.9% |
| 2018 | 292 prisoners per 100,000 people | +8.1% |
| 2021 | 276 prisoners per 100,000 people | -5.5% |
Trinidad and Tobago compared with similar countries
- Trinidad and Tobago's 276 prisoners per 100,000 people is above the median for high income countries, which is 172.5 prisoners per 100,000 people, 1.6× the median. (80 countries reporting)
- Trinidad and Tobago's 276 prisoners per 100,000 people is below the median for Latin America & Caribbean, which is 280 prisoners per 100,000 people, 99% of the median. (39 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 311.4 prisoners per 100,000 people | 268 prisoners per 100,000 people | 365 prisoners per 100,000 people | 5 |
| 2010s | 282.25 prisoners per 100,000 people | 270 prisoners per 100,000 people | 292 prisoners per 100,000 people | 4 |
| 2020s | 276 prisoners per 100,000 people | 276 prisoners per 100,000 people | 276 prisoners per 100,000 people | 1 |
Countries ranked near Trinidad and Tobago
- 40 Georgia 285 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 41 Argentina 284 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 42 Cayman Islands 280 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 44 Gibraltar 273 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 45 Taiwan 270 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 46 Libya 269 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
More population data for Trinidad and Tobago
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.7401 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -0.9182 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -0.7422 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -0.9182 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development -0.9% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 34,774 people (2100)
- Population density 175.12 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth -0.9% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.861 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 0.0299 Percent per annum (2030)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prison population rate in Trinidad and Tobago?
- Prison population rate in Trinidad and Tobago was 276 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2021, 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 Trinidad and Tobago?
- The highest recorded value was 365 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2000.
- What is the lowest prison population rate recorded in Trinidad and Tobago?
- The lowest recorded value was 268 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2006.
- How does Trinidad and Tobago rank for prison population rate?
- Trinidad and Tobago ranks 43rd out of 202 countries with data for 2021.
- Is prison population rate rising or falling in Trinidad and Tobago?
- Over the last ten years it is down 2.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Trinidad and Tobago 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.