Ireland Regulatory Quality
Regulatory Quality RQ.EST
Ireland's regulatory quality was 1.80 in 2025, ranked 7th globally. This represents a 2.6% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank WGI, covering 1996–2025.
Overview
Ireland's regulatory quality stood at 1.80 in 2025, a rise of +0.05 from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 1.80 by 2025. Ireland ranked 7th globally.
Ireland’s regulatory quality score has risen steadily over the 26‑year series, moving from 1.51 in 1996 to a 2025 value of 1.80, which places it seventh globally. The indicator reached its all‑time high of 1.91 in 2008, reflecting a period of robust institutional reforms, before slipping to a trough of 1.47 in 2020 amid pandemic‑related disruptions. Compared with peer nations, Ireland’s 2025 score is slightly below Macao SAR, China’s 1.92 and New Zealand’s 1.89, yet it exceeds Switzerland’s 1.74 and Finland’s 1.74, underscoring a relatively strong but not leading position among advanced economies. The upward trajectory since the 2020 low suggests that continued emphasis on transparent rule‑making and efficient enforcement could sustain further improvements, while any reversal in fiscal or political stability might stall or reverse the gains.
Data & projection
| Year | Regulatory Quality | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 1.84 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 1.80 | - | - |
| 2025 | 1.80 | +0.05 | #7 |
| 2023 | 1.75 | +0.11 | #9 |
| 2022 | 1.64 | +0.09 | #11 |
| 2021 | 1.55 | +0.09 | #15 |
| 2020 | 1.47 | −0.12 | #18 |
| 2019 | 1.59 | −0.03 | #15 |
| 2018 | 1.62 | +0.04 | #15 |
| 2017 | 1.58 | −0.15 | #18 |
| 2016 | 1.73 | −0.08 | #12 |
| 2015 | 1.81 | +0.05 | #6 |
| 2014 | 1.76 | +0.18 | #11 |
| 2013 | 1.57 | +0.01 | #14 |
| 2012 | 1.56 | −0.03 | #13 |
| 2011 | 1.59 | −0.02 | #15 |
| 2010 | 1.62 | −0.08 | #13 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Ireland matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2021. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw regulatory quality improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Ireland's regulatory quality was 1.80 in 2025. Ranked 7th globally. This represents a 2.6% increase from the previous year.
Ireland's regulatory quality peaked at 1.91 in 2008.
The lowest regulatory quality in Ireland was 1.47 in 2020.
Ireland ranks 7th globally in regulatory quality as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is RQ.EST. Data sourced from World Bank WGI.
Ireland's regulatory quality is projected to reach 1.80 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The regulatory quality of Ireland in 2025 was 1.80. This ranks 7th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_ireland_regulatory-quality,
title = {Ireland Regulatory Quality},
url = {https://historysaid.com/ireland/regulatory-quality/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}