Iran, Islamic Republic of Regulatory Quality
Regulatory Quality RQ.EST
Iran, Islamic Republic of's regulatory quality was -1.81 in 2025, ranked 196th globally. This represents a 7.1% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank WGI, covering 1996–2025.
Overview
Iran, Islamic Republic of's regulatory quality stood at -1.81 in 2025, a decline of +0.12 from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach -1.81 by 2025. Iran, Islamic Republic of ranked 196th globally.
Iran’s regulatory quality has deteriorated markedly over the 26‑year span covered by the World Bank’s Worldwide Governance Indicators, falling from a value of –1.42 in 1996 to a trough of –1.81 in 2025, the lowest point recorded and placing the country 196th globally. The all‑time peak of –1.17 occurred in 2005, suggesting that the early 2000s offered a comparatively more conducive regulatory environment before a steady decline set in. By contrast, peer economies such as the Syrian Arab Republic (–1.79) and Myanmar (–1.83) register slightly better scores, underscoring Iran’s relative lag in the domain of rule‑making, enforcement and market‑friendly institutions. The persistent slide reflects ongoing challenges in legal predictability, bureaucratic efficiency and anti‑corruption safeguards, which have impeded private sector development and foreign investment. If reforms that enhance transparency, streamline licensing procedures and strengthen judicial independence are implemented, the downward trajectory could be halted and a modest recovery in regulatory quality may emerge in the coming years.
Data & projection
| Year | Regulatory Quality | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | -1.87 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | -1.81 | - | - |
| 2025 | -1.81 | −0.12 | #196 |
| 2023 | -1.69 | −0.09 | #195 |
| 2022 | -1.59 | +0.04 | #195 |
| 2021 | -1.63 | −0.15 | #194 |
| 2020 | -1.49 | −0.04 | #190 |
| 2019 | -1.44 | −0.05 | #190 |
| 2018 | -1.40 | −0.17 | #189 |
| 2017 | -1.22 | +0.02 | #183 |
| 2016 | -1.25 | +0.09 | #186 |
| 2015 | -1.34 | +0.12 | #190 |
| 2014 | -1.46 | +0.03 | #191 |
| 2013 | -1.49 | −0.06 | #189 |
| 2012 | -1.43 | +0.10 | #187 |
| 2011 | -1.52 | +0.19 | #191 |
| 2010 | -1.71 | −0.00 | #194 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Iran, Islamic Republic of matched the Stagflation Risk pattern in 2019. Historically, 38% of countries showing this pattern (117 out of 307) saw regulatory quality improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Iran, Islamic Republic of's regulatory quality was -1.81 in 2025. Ranked 196th globally. This represents a 7.1% decrease from the previous year.
Iran, Islamic Republic of's regulatory quality peaked at -1.17 in 2005.
The lowest regulatory quality in Iran, Islamic Republic of was -1.81 in 2025.
Iran, Islamic Republic of ranks 196th globally in regulatory quality as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is RQ.EST. Data sourced from World Bank WGI.
Iran, Islamic Republic of's regulatory quality is projected to reach -1.81 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The regulatory quality of Iran, Islamic Republic of in 2025 was -1.81. This ranks 196th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_iran-islamic-republic-of_regulatory-quality,
title = {Iran, Islamic Republic of Regulatory Quality},
url = {https://historysaid.com/iran-islamic-republic-of/regulatory-quality/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}