South Africa vs United Kingdom (Northern Ireland): Unsentenced detainees as a proportion of overall prison population

South Africa
38.0%
in 2024
United Kingdom (Northern Ireland)
36.8%
in 2024
South Africa rank
58th
United Kingdom (Northern Ireland) rank
61st

Unsentenced detainees as a proportion of overall prison population over time

  • South Africa
  • United Kingdom (Northern Ireland)
010203040200520142024

How they compare

South Africa currently reports 38.0% against 36.8% in United Kingdom (Northern Ireland), a difference of 1.2%.

The two have swapped places 3 times across 15 shared years of data; in 2005 it was United Kingdom (Northern Ireland) ahead.

South Africa ranks 58th and United Kingdom (Northern Ireland) ranks 61st of 164 countries.

United Kingdom (Northern Ireland) has averaged higher in every one of the 3 decades both report.

Head to head by decade

Decade South Africa United Kingdom (Northern Ireland) Difference Ahead
2000s 29.4% 32.7% 3.3% United Kingdom (Northern Ireland)
2010s 28.1% 28.6% 0.5% United Kingdom (Northern Ireland)
2020s 34.5% 37.7% 3.2% United Kingdom (Northern Ireland)

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher unsentenced detainees as a proportion of overall prison population, South Africa or United Kingdom (Northern Ireland)?
South Africa, at 38.0% against 36.8% in United Kingdom (Northern Ireland) as of 2024.
What is the difference in unsentenced detainees as a proportion of overall prison population between South Africa and United Kingdom (Northern Ireland)?
1.2%, with South Africa ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for South Africa and United Kingdom (Northern Ireland)?
15 years are reported by both, from 2005 to 2024.
How do South Africa and United Kingdom (Northern Ireland) rank globally for unsentenced detainees as a proportion of overall prison population?
South Africa ranks 58th and United Kingdom (Northern Ireland) ranks 61st of 164 countries.
Where does this data come from?
United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as Unsentenced detainees as a proportion of overall prison population (%). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

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South Africa vs United Kingdom (Northern Ireland): Unsentenced detainees as a proportion of overall prison population. Statizoid, drawing on United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database. Retrieved 18 September 2026, from https://infrastructure.statizoid.com/compare/unsentenced-detainees-as-a-proportion-of-overall-prison-population-percent/south-africa/united-kingdom-northern-ireland/

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About this data

Indicator
Unsentenced detainees as a proportion of overall prison population (%)
Source
United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database
Licence
UN SDG Global Database (open, attribution requested)
Coverage
195 places, 3,134 data points, 2003–2024
Last refreshed