Share of prisoners that are pre-trial detainees in Botswana
Botswana: Share of prisoners that are pre-trial detainees was 22.5% in 2022. ▲ Rising
Share of prisoners that are pre-trial detainees in Botswana, 2000–2022
Source: Institute for Crime & Justice Policy Research (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2022, share of prisoners that are pre-trial detainees in Botswana stood at 22.5%.
The figure is up 32.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of prisoners that are pre-trial detainees in Botswana peaked at 25.1% in 2004 and was at its lowest, 15.2%, in 2000.
That places Botswana 106th out of 150 countries with data for 2022, putting it in the middle of the range.
Share of prisoners that are pre-trial detainees in Botswana, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 15.2% | — |
| 2004 | 25.1% | +65.1% |
| 2009 | 17.0% | -32.3% |
| 2015 | 24.5% | +44.1% |
| 2021 | 22.5% | -8.2% |
| 2022 | 22.5% | +0.0% |
Botswana compared with similar countries
- Botswana's 22.5% is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 31.7%, 71% of the median. (41 countries reporting)
- Botswana's 22.5% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 34.0%, 66% of the median. (30 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 19.1% | 15.2% | 25.1% | 3 |
| 2010s | 24.5% | 24.5% | 24.5% | 1 |
| 2020s | 22.5% | 22.5% | 22.5% | 2 |
Countries ranked near Botswana
More social development data for Botswana
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 847 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 384 (2025)
- Political Rights Rating 2 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, gaps filled 2 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0001 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 384 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0003 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of prisoners that are pre-trial detainees in Botswana?
- Share of prisoners that are pre-trial detainees in Botswana was 22.5% in 2022, according to Institute for Crime & Justice Policy Research (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of prisoners that are pre-trial detainees recorded in Botswana?
- The highest recorded value was 25.1% in 2004.
- What is the lowest share of prisoners that are pre-trial detainees recorded in Botswana?
- The lowest recorded value was 15.2% in 2000.
- How does Botswana rank for share of prisoners that are pre-trial detainees?
- Botswana ranks 106th out of 150 countries with data for 2022.
- Is share of prisoners that are pre-trial detainees rising or falling in Botswana?
- Over the last ten years it is up 32.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Botswana data come from?
- The figures come from Institute for Crime & Justice Policy Research (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of prisoners that are pre-trial detainees. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Pre-trial detainees and remand prisoners as a percentage of the total prison population.