Prison population rate in United Kingdom
United Kingdom: Prison population rate was 139.33 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2025. ▬ Flat
Prison population rate in United Kingdom, 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
In 2025, prison population rate in United Kingdom stood at 139.33 prisoners per 100,000 people.
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 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2012 and was at its lowest, 121.14 prisoners per 100,000 people, in 2000.
United Kingdom ranks 114th of 202 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 136.05 prisoners per 100,000 people | 121.14 prisoners per 100,000 people | 148.11 prisoners per 100,000 people | 5 |
| 2010s | 145.52 prisoners per 100,000 people | 137.66 prisoners per 100,000 people | 151.06 prisoners per 100,000 people | 5 |
| 2020s | 133.87 prisoners per 100,000 people | 130.64 prisoners per 100,000 people | 139.33 prisoners per 100,000 people | 3 |
Countries ranked near United Kingdom
- 111 North Macedonia 142 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 112 Lebanon 141 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 113 Saudi Arabia 140 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 115 Hong Kong 139 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 116 Zambia 137 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 117 Vietnam 135 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
More population data for United Kingdom
- Population growth rate, by level of development -0.2% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 3.21 million people (2100)
- Population density 307.14 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth -0.2% (2100)
- Total fertility rate vs. wanted fertility rate 1.55 births per woman (2024)
- Refugees by country of asylum 515,677 people (2024)
- Fertility rate vs. unmet need for contraception 1.55 births per woman (2024)
- Total fertility rate vs. contraceptive prevalence 1.55 births per woman (2024)
- Natural population growth rate 0.1% (2023)
- Fertility rate: births per woman 1.56 live births per woman (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prison population rate in United Kingdom?
- Prison population rate in United Kingdom was 139.33 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 United Kingdom?
- The highest recorded value was 151.06 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2012.
- What is the lowest prison population rate recorded in United Kingdom?
- The lowest recorded value was 121.14 prisoners per 100,000 people 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 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.