Iraq Rule of Law
Rule of Law RL.EST
Iraq's rule of law was -1.67 in 2025, ranked 194th globally. This represents a 1.4% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank WGI, covering 1996–2025.
Overview
Iraq's rule of law stood at -1.67 in 2025, a rise of +0.02 from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach -1.67 by 2025. Iraq ranked 194th globally.
Iraq’s Rule of Law score on the World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators has slipped to –1.67 in 2025, placing it 194th globally and slightly below peers such as Haiti (–1.65) and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (–1.65). The index, measured on a scale from –2.5 (weakest) to 2.5 (strongest), shows a modest deterioration from its earliest recorded value of –1.56 in 1996. The country’s best performance occurred in 2000 when the score reached an all‑time peak of –1.39, but a sharp decline followed, culminating in the all‑time trough of –1.84 in 2007. Over the 26‑year coverage period, the trajectory has been marked by persistent weakness in judicial independence, contract enforcement and corruption control, reflecting the cumulative impact of conflict, political instability and limited institutional capacity. Recent modest improvements suggest that sustained reforms in security sector governance and anti‑corruption measures could arrest the decline and gradually lift Iraq’s rule‑of‑law rating in the coming years.
Data & projection
| Year | Rule of Law | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | -1.65 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | -1.67 | - | - |
| 2025 | -1.67 | +0.02 | #194 |
| 2023 | -1.69 | +0.06 | #196 |
| 2022 | -1.75 | −0.00 | #197 |
| 2021 | -1.75 | +0.05 | #197 |
| 2020 | -1.80 | −0.03 | #197 |
| 2019 | -1.77 | +0.03 | #198 |
| 2018 | -1.80 | −0.05 | #198 |
| 2017 | -1.76 | +0.01 | #198 |
| 2016 | -1.77 | −0.21 | #199 |
| 2015 | -1.56 | −0.11 | #198 |
| 2014 | -1.45 | +0.12 | #195 |
| 2013 | -1.56 | +0.01 | #197 |
| 2012 | -1.57 | −0.01 | #199 |
| 2011 | -1.56 | +0.15 | #199 |
| 2010 | -1.71 | −0.01 | #199 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Iraq matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2022. 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
Iraq's rule of law was -1.67 in 2025. Ranked 194th globally. This represents a 1.4% increase from the previous year.
Iraq's rule of law peaked at -1.39 in 2000.
The lowest rule of law in Iraq was -1.84 in 2007.
Iraq ranks 194th globally in rule of law as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is RL.EST. Data sourced from World Bank WGI.
Iraq's rule of law is projected to reach -1.67 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The rule of law of Iraq in 2025 was -1.67. This ranks 194th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_iraq_rule-of-law,
title = {Iraq Rule of Law},
url = {https://historysaid.com/iraq/rule-of-law/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}