Share of prisoners that are pre-trial detainees in Zambia
Zambia: Share of prisoners that are pre-trial detainees was 20.1% in 2024. ▼ Falling
Share of prisoners that are pre-trial detainees in Zambia, 2000–2024
Source: Institute for Crime & Justice Policy Research (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
Zambia recorded 20.1% for share of prisoners that are pre-trial detainees in 2024.
The figure is down 13.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of prisoners that are pre-trial detainees in Zambia peaked at 54.8% in 2007 and was at its lowest, 17.6%, in 2019.
That places Zambia 120th out of 150 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the bottom quarter.
Share of prisoners that are pre-trial detainees in Zambia, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 25.5% | — |
| 2005 | 35.3% | +38.4% |
| 2007 | 54.8% | +55.2% |
| 2013 | 23.2% | -57.7% |
| 2019 | 17.6% | -24.1% |
| 2024 | 20.1% | +14.2% |
Zambia compared with similar countries
- Zambia's 20.1% is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 40.2%, 50% of the median. (32 countries reporting)
- Zambia's 20.1% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 34.0%, 59% of the median. (30 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 38.5% | 25.5% | 54.8% | 3 |
| 2010s | 20.4% | 17.6% | 23.2% | 2 |
| 2020s | 20.1% | 20.1% | 20.1% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Zambia
- 117 Kazakhstan 20.3% compare
- 118 Isle of Man 20.2% compare
- 118 Moldova 20.2% compare
- 121 Sao Tome and Principe 20.0% compare
- 122 Lesotho 19.5% compare
- 123 Ireland 19.4% compare
More social development data for Zambia
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 83,225 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 346 (2025)
- Political Rights Rating 4 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, gaps filled 4 (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 346 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0038 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 Zambia?
- Share of prisoners that are pre-trial detainees in Zambia was 20.1% 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 Zambia?
- The highest recorded value was 54.8% in 2007.
- What is the lowest share of prisoners that are pre-trial detainees recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 17.6% in 2019.
- How does Zambia rank for share of prisoners that are pre-trial detainees?
- Zambia ranks 120th out of 150 countries with data for 2024.
- Is share of prisoners that are pre-trial detainees rising or falling in Zambia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 13.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Zambia 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.