Share of prisoners that are pre-trial detainees in Kuwait
Kuwait: Share of prisoners that are pre-trial detainees was 14.6% in 2023. ▼ Falling
Share of prisoners that are pre-trial detainees in Kuwait, 2001–2023
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 Kuwait is 14.6%, measured in 2023.
That represents a change of up 46.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of prisoners that are pre-trial detainees in Kuwait peaked at 20.8% in 2001 and was at its lowest, 10.0%, in 2005.
Kuwait ranks 137th of 150 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
Share of prisoners that are pre-trial detainees in Kuwait, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 20.8% | — |
| 2005 | 10.0% | -51.9% |
| 2009 | 10.0% | +0.0% |
| 2013 | 10.0% | +0.0% |
| 2021 | 14.6% | +46.0% |
| 2023 | 14.6% | +0.0% |
Kuwait compared with similar countries
- Kuwait's 14.6% is below the median for high income countries, which is 26.6%, 55% of the median. (62 countries reporting)
- Kuwait's 14.6% is below the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 37.2%, 39% of the median. (10 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 13.6% | 10.0% | 20.8% | 3 |
| 2010s | 10.0% | 10.0% | 10.0% | 1 |
| 2020s | 14.6% | 14.6% | 14.6% | 2 |
Countries ranked near Kuwait
More social development data for Kuwait
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 386 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 3,369 (2025)
- Political Rights Rating 6 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 0 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, gaps filled 6 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0007 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 3,369 (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 Kuwait?
- Share of prisoners that are pre-trial detainees in Kuwait was 14.6% 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 Kuwait?
- The highest recorded value was 20.8% in 2001.
- What is the lowest share of prisoners that are pre-trial detainees recorded in Kuwait?
- The lowest recorded value was 10.0% in 2005.
- How does Kuwait rank for share of prisoners that are pre-trial detainees?
- Kuwait ranks 137th out of 150 countries with data for 2023.
- Is share of prisoners that are pre-trial detainees rising or falling in Kuwait?
- Over the last ten years it is up 46.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Kuwait 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.