According to the latest data on the prison population, among the Member States of the European Union (EU), the highest level of prison overcrowding was observed in Cyprus, with an occupancy rate of 227.6, followed by Slovenia and France, with 134.2 and 129.3, respectively.

Portugal has recorded overcrowding rates in previous years, with the highest levels in 2013 (117.2), 2015 (114.2), and 2014 (112.8). The European statistical service’s bulletin has published data since 2008.

The lowest prison occupancy rates were recorded in Estonia (49.9), Lithuania (67.0) and Luxembourg (67.4).

Number of prisoners

In terms of the number of prisoners, Portugal (12,507) ranked 10th in the EU, behind France (80,669), Poland (69,850) and Italy (62,524), with Luxembourg (628), Malta (697) and Cyprus (965) recording the lowest figures.

Per 100,000 inhabitants, the prison population in Portugal stood at 117.55 in the reference year, a decline from the previous year’s average of 117.16.

Prisoner rates

Among EU countries, the highest prisoner rates per 100,000 inhabitants were recorded in Hungary (193), followed by Poland (191) and Latvia (187).

The lowest rates were recorded in Finland (57), the Netherlands (67) and Denmark and Germany (both 70).

The number of prisoners in Portugal rose in 2024 compared with 12,321 in the same year, whilst prison capacity fell from 12,663 to 12,321.

The Commission also states that the agreement remains subject to oversight by EU governments and the European Parliament.