Unsentenced detainees as proportion of prison population in South Africa
South Africa: Unsentenced detainees as proportion of prison population was 38.04 in 2024. ▲ Rising
Unsentenced detainees as proportion of prison population in South Africa, 2005–2024
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for unsentenced detainees as proportion of prison population in South Africa is 38.04, measured in 2024. That is the highest value across all 15 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 16.9% on the previous year and up 39.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unsentenced detainees as proportion of prison population in South Africa peaked at 38.04 in 2024 and was at its lowest, 26.21, in 2015.
That places South Africa 58th out of 153 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 15 years of available data.
Unsentenced detainees as proportion of prison population in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 29.43 | — |
| 2010 | 29.12 | -1.1% |
| 2011 | 28.99 | -0.4% |
| 2012 | 29.56 | +2.0% |
| 2013 | 28.69 | -2.9% |
| 2014 | 27.21 | -5.2% |
| 2015 | 26.21 | -3.7% |
| 2016 | 26.25 | +0.2% |
| 2017 | 27.01 | +2.9% |
| 2018 | 28.19 | +4.4% |
| 2019 | 29.3 | +3.9% |
| 2020 | 33.3 | +13.7% |
| 2021 | 33.97 | +2.0% |
| 2022 | 32.53 | -4.2% |
| 2024 | 38.04 | +16.9% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 38.04 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 33.62, 1.1× the median. (44 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 38.04 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 38.04, 1.0× the median. (29 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 29.43 | 29.43 | 29.43 | 1 |
| 2010s | 28.05 | 26.21 | 29.56 | 10 |
| 2020s | 34.46 | 32.53 | 38.04 | 4 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More population data for South Africa
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.2264 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -0.7997 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.2264 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.1847 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 73,530 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 0.8824 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.0148 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate 0.23 (2100)
- Population density 77.75 (2100)
- Projected population under age 5 5.55 million (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is unsentenced detainees as proportion of prison population in South Africa?
- Unsentenced detainees as proportion of prison population in South Africa was 38.04 in 2024, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest unsentenced detainees as proportion of prison population recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 38.04 in 2024.
- What is the lowest unsentenced detainees as proportion of prison population recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 26.21 in 2015.
- How does South Africa rank for unsentenced detainees as proportion of prison population?
- South Africa ranks 58th out of 153 countries with data for 2024.
- Is unsentenced detainees as proportion of prison population rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 39.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Unsentenced detainees as proportion of prison population. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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