Bahamas, The Rule of Law
Rule of Law RL.EST
Bahamas, The's rule of law was 0.24 in 2025, ranked 89th globally. This represents a 35.3% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank WGI, covering 1996–2025.
Overview
Bahamas, The's rule of law stood at 0.24 in 2025, a rise of +0.06 from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 0.24 by 2025. Bahamas, The ranked 89th globally.
The Bahamas’ Rule of Law score has fallen sharply over the 26‑year coverage period, slipping from an early‑period value of 1.15 in 1996 to a trough of 0.02 in 2020 before modestly rebounding to 0.24 in 2025, placing the country 89th in the global ranking. The all‑time peak of 1.42 recorded in 2003 illustrates how the institutional environment once supported relatively strong legal frameworks, yet the dramatic decline after the 2010s signals growing challenges in judicial independence, enforcement capacity and corruption control. Compared with peer small‑state economies, the Bahamas now scores almost identically to Vanuatu’s 0.24 and marginally above Thailand’s 0.23, but remains below Fiji’s 0.27 and Rwanda’s 0.28, highlighting a regional lag in rule‑of‑law performance. If reforms that strengthen court efficiency, enhance transparency and curb political interference are implemented, the upward trajectory observed since 2020 could accelerate, potentially restoring a more favorable position in future World Bank governance assessments.
Data & projection
| Year | Rule of Law | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 0.28 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 0.24 | - | - |
| 2025 | 0.24 | +0.06 | #89 |
| 2023 | 0.18 | +0.05 | #89 |
| 2022 | 0.13 | +0.06 | #89 |
| 2021 | 0.07 | +0.05 | #90 |
| 2020 | 0.02 | −0.02 | #91 |
| 2019 | 0.05 | −0.02 | #91 |
| 2018 | 0.07 | −0.09 | #88 |
| 2017 | 0.16 | −0.07 | #83 |
| 2016 | 0.23 | −0.34 | #83 |
| 2015 | 0.57 | −0.10 | #58 |
| 2014 | 0.66 | +0.03 | #48 |
| 2013 | 0.63 | +0.02 | #58 |
| 2012 | 0.61 | +0.00 | #61 |
| 2011 | 0.61 | −0.11 | #62 |
| 2010 | 0.72 | −0.07 | #60 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Bahamas, The matched the Fiscal Dominance Trap pattern in 1981. Historically, 72% of countries showing this pattern (278 out of 386) saw rule of law improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Bahamas, The's rule of law was 0.24 in 2025. Ranked 89th globally. This represents a 35.3% increase from the previous year.
Bahamas, The's rule of law peaked at 1.42 in 2003.
The lowest rule of law in Bahamas, The was 0.02 in 2020.
Bahamas, The ranks 89th globally in rule of law as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is RL.EST. Data sourced from World Bank WGI.
Bahamas, The's rule of law is projected to reach 0.24 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The rule of law of Bahamas, The in 2025 was 0.24. This ranks 89th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_bahamas-the_rule-of-law,
title = {Bahamas, The Rule of Law},
url = {https://historysaid.com/bahamas-the/rule-of-law/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}