Prison population rate in Zambia
Zambia: Prison population rate was 137 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2024. ▼ Falling
Prison population rate in Zambia, 1998–2024
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 Zambia is 137 prisoners per 100,000 people, measured in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 25.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prison population rate in Zambia peaked at 146 prisoners per 100,000 people in 1998 and was at its lowest, 109 prisoners per 100,000 people, in 2014.
That places Zambia 116th out of 202 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 11 years of available data.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 146 prisoners per 100,000 people | 146 prisoners per 100,000 people | 146 prisoners per 100,000 people | 1 |
| 2000s | 120.75 prisoners per 100,000 people | 116 prisoners per 100,000 people | 124 prisoners per 100,000 people | 4 |
| 2010s | 116.75 prisoners per 100,000 people | 109 prisoners per 100,000 people | 128 prisoners per 100,000 people | 4 |
| 2020s | 123 prisoners per 100,000 people | 109 prisoners per 100,000 people | 137 prisoners per 100,000 people | 2 |
Countries ranked near Zambia
- 113 Saudi Arabia 140 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 114 United Kingdom 139.33 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 115 Hong Kong 139 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 117 Vietnam 135 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 118 Suriname 134 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 119 Romania 129 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
- 119 Sao Tome and Principe 129 prisoners per 100,000 people compare
More population data for Zambia
- Population growth rate, by level of development 0.5% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 4.60 million people (2100)
- Population density 86.73 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth 0.5% (2100)
- Total fertility rate vs. wanted fertility rate 4.04 births per woman (2024)
- Refugees by country of asylum 79,275 people (2024)
- Fertility rate vs. unmet need for contraception 4.04 births per woman (2024)
- Total fertility rate vs. contraceptive prevalence 4.04 births per woman (2024)
- Natural population growth rate 2.8% (2023)
- Fertility rate: births per woman 4.1 live births per woman (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prison population rate in Zambia?
- Prison population rate in Zambia was 137 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2024, 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 Zambia?
- The highest recorded value was 146 prisoners per 100,000 people in 1998.
- What is the lowest prison population rate recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 109 prisoners per 100,000 people in 2014.
- How does Zambia rank for prison population rate?
- Zambia ranks 116th out of 202 countries with data for 2024.
- Is prison population rate rising or falling in Zambia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 25.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Zambia 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.