Share of prisoners that are pre-trial detainees in South Korea
South Korea: Share of prisoners that are pre-trial detainees was 35.6% in 2023. ▬ Flat
Share of prisoners that are pre-trial detainees in South Korea, 2000–2023
Source: Institute for Crime & Justice Policy Research (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2023, share of prisoners that are pre-trial detainees in South Korea stood at 35.6%.
That represents a change of up 1.4% on the previous year and down 0.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of prisoners that are pre-trial detainees in South Korea peaked at 38.8% in 2000 and was at its lowest, 31.8%, in 2010.
South Korea ranks 62nd of 150 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Share of prisoners that are pre-trial detainees in South Korea, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 38.8% | — |
| 2005 | 33.1% | -14.7% |
| 2010 | 31.8% | -3.9% |
| 2015 | 35.7% | +12.3% |
| 2020 | 35.1% | -1.7% |
| 2023 | 35.6% | +1.4% |
South Korea compared with similar countries
- South Korea's 35.6% is above the median for high income countries, which is 26.6%, 1.3× the median. (62 countries reporting)
- South Korea's 35.6% is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 23.8%, 1.5× the median. (20 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 36.0% | 33.1% | 38.8% | 2 |
| 2010s | 33.8% | 31.8% | 35.7% | 2 |
| 2020s | 35.4% | 35.1% | 35.6% | 2 |
Countries ranked near South Korea
More social development data for South Korea
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 4,407 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 117 (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 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 117 (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 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of prisoners that are pre-trial detainees in South Korea?
- Share of prisoners that are pre-trial detainees in South Korea was 35.6% in 2023, 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 South Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 38.8% in 2000.
- What is the lowest share of prisoners that are pre-trial detainees recorded in South Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 31.8% in 2010.
- How does South Korea rank for share of prisoners that are pre-trial detainees?
- South Korea ranks 62nd out of 150 countries with data for 2023.
- Is share of prisoners that are pre-trial detainees rising or falling in South Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is down 0.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this South Korea 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.