Hong Kong SAR, China Rule of Law
Rule of Law RL.EST
Hong Kong SAR, China's rule of law was 1.09 in 2025, ranked 32nd globally. This represents a 15.5% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank WGI, covering 1996–2025.
Overview
Hong Kong SAR, China's rule of law stood at 1.09 in 2025, a decline of +0.20 from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 1.09 by 2025. Hong Kong SAR, China ranked 32nd globally.
Hong Kong SAR, China’s Rule of Law score, as measured by the World Bank's Worldwide Governance Indicators, rose from a trough of 0.75 in 1996 to an all-time peak of 1.86 in 2014, reflecting significant improvements in legal institutional strength during the early post-handover period. Over the 26 years of available data, the indicator declined from its 2014 high, reaching 1.09 by 2025, a level comparable to Brunei Darussalam, which also recorded 1.09. This 2025 value places Hong Kong at 32nd globally, indicating a sustained erosion in perceived rule of law standards over the past decade. The current score, while still above the 1996 starting point, marks a notable reversal from its peak, coinciding with heightened scrutiny of judicial independence and civil liberties. The trajectory suggests weakening confidence in legal constraints on government and the impartiality of legal frameworks. Reversing this trend would likely require demonstrable safeguards for judicial autonomy and greater transparency in legal processes, particularly in politically sensitive cases. Absent institutional reforms, further declines could occur.
Data & projection
| Year | Rule of Law | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 1.01 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 1.09 | - | - |
| 2025 | 1.09 | −0.20 | #32 |
| 2023 | 1.29 | +0.02 | #26 |
| 2022 | 1.28 | −0.13 | #26 |
| 2021 | 1.41 | −0.14 | #21 |
| 2020 | 1.55 | −0.02 | #18 |
| 2019 | 1.57 | −0.16 | #18 |
| 2018 | 1.73 | +0.05 | #11 |
| 2017 | 1.68 | −0.00 | #13 |
| 2016 | 1.68 | −0.11 | #14 |
| 2015 | 1.79 | −0.07 | #12 |
| 2014 | 1.86 | +0.29 | #13 |
| 2013 | 1.57 | −0.01 | #19 |
| 2012 | 1.57 | +0.03 | #20 |
| 2011 | 1.55 | +0.01 | #20 |
| 2010 | 1.54 | +0.05 | #20 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Hong Kong SAR, China matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2017. 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
Hong Kong SAR, China's rule of law was 1.09 in 2025. Ranked 32nd globally. This represents a 15.5% decrease from the previous year.
Hong Kong SAR, China's rule of law peaked at 1.86 in 2014.
The lowest rule of law in Hong Kong SAR, China was 0.75 in 1996.
Hong Kong SAR, China ranks 32nd globally in rule of law as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is RL.EST. Data sourced from World Bank WGI.
Hong Kong SAR, China's rule of law is projected to reach 1.09 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The rule of law of Hong Kong SAR, China in 2025 was 1.09. This ranks 32nd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_hong-kong-sar-china_rule-of-law,
title = {Hong Kong SAR, China Rule of Law},
url = {https://historysaid.com/hong-kong-sar-china/rule-of-law/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}