Guyana Rule of Law
Rule of Law RL.EST
Guyana's rule of law was -0.26 in 2025, ranked 115th globally. This represents a 24.1% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank WGI, covering 1996–2025.
Overview
Guyana's rule of law stood at -0.26 in 2025, a rise of +0.08 from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach -0.26 by 2025. Guyana ranked 115th globally.
Guyana’s rule‑of‑law score on the World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators has slipped from its all‑time peak of –0.20 in 1996 to a 2025 value of –0.26, placing the country at 115th in the global ranking. The downward trajectory accelerated after the all‑time trough of –0.66 in 2005, and the modest recovery since then has been uneven, leaving the 2025 figure still below the 1996 benchmark. Compared with peers of similar rank, Guyana’s score matches Kosovo’s –0.26 and is slightly worse than Kenya’s –0.21, suggesting that institutional weaknesses are shared across these economies. The 26‑year coverage shows that progress has been limited, with the most recent decline reflecting persistent challenges in judicial independence, contract enforcement and corruption control. Continued reforms aimed at strengthening legal institutions and enhancing transparency will be essential if Guyana hopes to reverse the recent slide and move toward a higher rule‑of‑law standing in the coming years.
Data & projection
| Year | Rule of Law | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | -0.23 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | -0.26 | - | - |
| 2025 | -0.26 | +0.08 | #115 |
| 2023 | -0.34 | −0.03 | #121 |
| 2022 | -0.31 | +0.10 | #120 |
| 2021 | -0.42 | +0.02 | #125 |
| 2020 | -0.43 | +0.01 | #127 |
| 2019 | -0.45 | −0.06 | #128 |
| 2018 | -0.38 | −0.08 | #122 |
| 2017 | -0.30 | +0.01 | #113 |
| 2016 | -0.31 | +0.23 | #115 |
| 2015 | -0.54 | +0.07 | #132 |
| 2014 | -0.61 | −0.09 | #136 |
| 2013 | -0.52 | −0.01 | #126 |
| 2012 | -0.52 | −0.01 | #121 |
| 2011 | -0.51 | −0.03 | #127 |
| 2010 | -0.48 | +0.08 | #125 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Guyana matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2024. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw rule of law improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Guyana's rule of law was -0.26 in 2025. Ranked 115th globally. This represents a 24.1% increase from the previous year.
Guyana's rule of law peaked at -0.20 in 1996.
The lowest rule of law in Guyana was -0.66 in 2005.
Guyana ranks 115th globally in rule of law as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is RL.EST. Data sourced from World Bank WGI.
Guyana's rule of law is projected to reach -0.26 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The rule of law of Guyana in 2025 was -0.26. This ranks 115th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_guyana_rule-of-law,
title = {Guyana Rule of Law},
url = {https://historysaid.com/guyana/rule-of-law/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}