Share of prisoners that are pre-trial detainees in Denmark
Denmark: Share of prisoners that are pre-trial detainees was 35.5% in 2024. ▲ Rising
Share of prisoners that are pre-trial detainees in Denmark, 2000–2024
Source: Institute for Crime & Justice Policy Research (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for share of prisoners that are pre-trial detainees in Denmark is 35.5%, measured in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 5.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of prisoners that are pre-trial detainees in Denmark peaked at 37.5% in 2020 and was at its lowest, 25.8%, in 2005.
That places Denmark 63rd out of 150 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
Share of prisoners that are pre-trial detainees in Denmark, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 26.2% | — |
| 2005 | 25.8% | -1.5% |
| 2010 | 34.9% | +35.3% |
| 2015 | 33.7% | -3.4% |
| 2020 | 37.5% | +11.3% |
| 2024 | 35.5% | -5.3% |
Denmark compared with similar countries
- Denmark's 35.5% is above the median for high income countries, which is 26.6%, 1.3× the median. (62 countries reporting)
- Denmark's 35.5% is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 24.9%, 1.4× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 26.0% | 25.8% | 26.2% | 2 |
| 2010s | 34.3% | 33.7% | 34.9% | 2 |
| 2020s | 36.5% | 35.5% | 37.5% | 2 |
Countries ranked near Denmark
More social development data for Denmark
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 95,007 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 21 (2025)
- Political Rights Rating 1 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, gaps filled 1 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 21 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0158 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 Denmark?
- Share of prisoners that are pre-trial detainees in Denmark was 35.5% in 2024, 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 Denmark?
- The highest recorded value was 37.5% in 2020.
- What is the lowest share of prisoners that are pre-trial detainees recorded in Denmark?
- The lowest recorded value was 25.8% in 2005.
- How does Denmark rank for share of prisoners that are pre-trial detainees?
- Denmark ranks 63rd out of 150 countries with data for 2024.
- Is share of prisoners that are pre-trial detainees rising or falling in Denmark?
- Over the last ten years it is up 5.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Denmark 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.