Share of prisoners that are pre-trial detainees in Malawi
Malawi: Share of prisoners that are pre-trial detainees was 17.6% in 2024. ▼ Falling
Share of prisoners that are pre-trial detainees in Malawi, 2001–2024
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 Malawi is 17.6%, measured in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 9.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of prisoners that are pre-trial detainees in Malawi peaked at 31.6% in 2001 and was at its lowest, 10.9%, in 2010.
Malawi ranks 129th of 150 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
Share of prisoners that are pre-trial detainees in Malawi, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 31.6% | — |
| 2005 | 23.2% | -26.6% |
| 2010 | 10.9% | -53.0% |
| 2015 | 16.1% | +47.7% |
| 2020 | 17.6% | +9.3% |
| 2024 | 17.6% | +0.0% |
Malawi compared with similar countries
- Malawi's 17.6% is below the median for low income countries, which is 42.7%, 41% of the median. (12 countries reporting)
- Malawi's 17.6% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 34.0%, 52% of the median. (30 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 27.4% | 23.2% | 31.6% | 2 |
| 2010s | 13.5% | 10.9% | 16.1% | 2 |
| 2020s | 17.6% | 17.6% | 17.6% | 2 |
Countries ranked near Malawi
More social development data for Malawi
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 35,241 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 551 (2025)
- Political Rights Rating 2 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, annual growth rate -33.33 % 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 551 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0016 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 Malawi?
- Share of prisoners that are pre-trial detainees in Malawi was 17.6% 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 Malawi?
- The highest recorded value was 31.6% in 2001.
- What is the lowest share of prisoners that are pre-trial detainees recorded in Malawi?
- The lowest recorded value was 10.9% in 2010.
- How does Malawi rank for share of prisoners that are pre-trial detainees?
- Malawi ranks 129th out of 150 countries with data for 2024.
- Is share of prisoners that are pre-trial detainees rising or falling in Malawi?
- Over the last ten years it is up 9.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Malawi 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.