Prison population rate in United Kingdom
United Kingdom: Prison population rate was 139.33 in 2025. ▬ Flat
Latest (2025)
139.33
Change on year
up 5.9%
World rank
114th
of 202 countries
All-time high
151.06
in 2012
All-time low
121.14
in 2000
Years of data
13
2000–2025
Prison population rate in United Kingdom, 2000–2025
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2025, prison population rate in United Kingdom stood at 139.33.
The figure is up 5.9% on the previous year and down 4.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prison population rate in United Kingdom peaked at 151.06 in 2012 and was at its lowest, 121.14, in 2000.
United Kingdom ranks 114th of 202 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Prison population rate in United Kingdom, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 121.14 | — |
| 2002 | 131.49 | +8.5% |
| 2004 | 137.5 | +4.6% |
| 2006 | 142 | +3.3% |
| 2008 | 148.11 | +4.3% |
| 2010 | 149.19 | +0.7% |
| 2012 | 151.06 | +1.3% |
| 2014 | 146.39 | -3.1% |
| 2016 | 143.32 | -2.1% |
| 2018 | 137.66 | -4.0% |
| 2020 | 130.64 | -5.1% |
| 2022 | 131.63 | +0.8% |
| 2025 | 139.33 | +5.9% |
United Kingdom compared with similar countries
- United Kingdom's 139.33 is below the median for high income countries, which is 172.5, 81% of the median. (80 countries reporting)
- United Kingdom's 139.33 is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 121, 1.2× the median. (53 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 136.05 | 121.14 | 148.11 | 5 |
| 2010s | 145.52 | 137.66 | 151.06 | 5 |
| 2020s | 133.87 | 130.64 | 139.33 | 3 |
Countries ranked near United Kingdom
More population data for United Kingdom
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -0.1791 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate 0.1389 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -0.1791 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.0706 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 71,685 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 0.2666 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.169 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate -0.184 (2100)
- Population density 307.14 (2100)
- Projected population under age 5 3.21 million (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prison population rate in United Kingdom?
- Prison population rate in United Kingdom was 139.33 in 2025, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest prison population rate recorded in United Kingdom?
- The highest recorded value was 151.06 in 2012.
- What is the lowest prison population rate recorded in United Kingdom?
- The lowest recorded value was 121.14 in 2000.
- How does United Kingdom rank for prison population rate?
- United Kingdom ranks 114th out of 202 countries with data for 2025.
- Is prison population rate rising or falling in United Kingdom?
- Over the last ten years it is down 4.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this United Kingdom data come from?
- The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Prison population rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 13 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).