Benin Rule of Law
Rule of Law RL.EST
Benin's rule of law was -0.43 in 2025, ranked 129th globally. This represents a 15.0% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank WGI, covering 1996–2025.
Overview
Benin's rule of law stood at -0.43 in 2025, a rise of +0.08 from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach -0.43 by 2025. Benin ranked 129th globally.
Benin’s Rule of Law score on the World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators has slipped from its all‑time peak of 0.05 in 1996 to a trough of –0.77 in 2020, before modestly improving to –0.43 in 2025, placing the country 129th out of 190 nations. The 26‑year series shows a persistent downward trajectory, with the most recent figure matching Kazakhstan’s –0.43 and remaining close to the scores of the Solomon Islands (–0.41) and the Gambia (–0.41). The decline reflects deteriorating judicial independence, weak enforcement of contracts and limited access to legal recourse, factors that have eroded investor confidence and constrained economic reforms. Although the slight rebound since 2020 suggests some policy adjustments, sustained improvement will require comprehensive legal reforms, stronger anti‑corruption measures and capacity building within the judiciary to reverse the long‑term weakening of the rule of law.
Data & projection
| Year | Rule of Law | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | -0.38 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | -0.43 | - | - |
| 2025 | -0.43 | +0.08 | #129 |
| 2023 | -0.51 | +0.09 | #137 |
| 2022 | -0.60 | +0.03 | #142 |
| 2021 | -0.63 | +0.14 | #145 |
| 2020 | -0.77 | −0.09 | #154 |
| 2019 | -0.68 | +0.02 | #149 |
| 2018 | -0.69 | −0.05 | #149 |
| 2017 | -0.65 | −0.02 | #142 |
| 2016 | -0.63 | −0.07 | #141 |
| 2015 | -0.56 | −0.07 | #134 |
| 2014 | -0.49 | +0.08 | #127 |
| 2013 | -0.57 | +0.01 | #133 |
| 2012 | -0.57 | +0.08 | #133 |
| 2011 | -0.66 | +0.01 | #142 |
| 2010 | -0.67 | −0.02 | #142 |
Analysis
Benin's rule of law was -0.43 in 2025, a rise of +0.08 from 2024. Based on trends, estimated -0.43 by 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
Benin's rule of law was -0.43 in 2025. Ranked 129th globally. This represents a 15.0% increase from the previous year.
Benin's rule of law peaked at 0.05 in 1996.
The lowest rule of law in Benin was -0.77 in 2020.
Benin ranks 129th globally in rule of law as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is RL.EST. Data sourced from World Bank WGI.
Benin's rule of law is projected to reach -0.43 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The rule of law of Benin in 2025 was -0.43. This ranks 129th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_benin_rule-of-law,
title = {Benin Rule of Law},
url = {https://historysaid.com/benin/rule-of-law/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}