Share of prisoners that are pre-trial detainees in Spain
Spain: Share of prisoners that are pre-trial detainees was 17.7% in 2024. ▼ Falling
Share of prisoners that are pre-trial detainees in Spain, 2000–2024
Source: Institute for Crime & Justice Policy Research (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
Spain recorded 17.7% for share of prisoners that are pre-trial detainees in 2024.
The figure is up 40.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of prisoners that are pre-trial detainees in Spain peaked at 22.8% in 2005 and was at its lowest, 12.6%, in 2015.
That places Spain 128th out of 150 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the bottom quarter.
Share of prisoners that are pre-trial detainees in Spain, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 20.2% | — |
| 2005 | 22.8% | +12.9% |
| 2010 | 19.7% | -13.6% |
| 2015 | 12.6% | -36.0% |
| 2020 | 17.0% | +34.9% |
| 2024 | 17.7% | +4.1% |
Spain compared with similar countries
- Spain's 17.7% is below the median for high income countries, which is 26.6%, 66% of the median. (62 countries reporting)
- Spain's 17.7% is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 24.9%, 71% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 21.5% | 20.2% | 22.8% | 2 |
| 2010s | 16.1% | 12.6% | 19.7% | 2 |
| 2020s | 17.4% | 17.0% | 17.7% | 2 |
Countries ranked near Spain
More social development data for Spain
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 511,079 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 186 (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 186 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0104 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 Spain?
- Share of prisoners that are pre-trial detainees in Spain was 17.7% 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 Spain?
- The highest recorded value was 22.8% in 2005.
- What is the lowest share of prisoners that are pre-trial detainees recorded in Spain?
- The lowest recorded value was 12.6% in 2015.
- How does Spain rank for share of prisoners that are pre-trial detainees?
- Spain ranks 128th out of 150 countries with data for 2024.
- Is share of prisoners that are pre-trial detainees rising or falling in Spain?
- Over the last ten years it is up 40.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Spain 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.