Italy Regulatory Quality
Regulatory Quality RQ.EST
Italy's regulatory quality was 0.39 in 2025, ranked 74th globally. This represents a 39.0% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank WGI, covering 1996–2025.
Overview
Italy's regulatory quality stood at 0.39 in 2025, a decline of +0.25 from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 0.39 by 2025. Italy ranked 74th globally.
Italy’s regulatory quality score, measured by the World Bank’s Worldwide Governance Indicators, has slipped dramatically over the past three decades, falling from a high of 1.08 in 2004 to a trough of 0.39 in 2025, the lowest figure recorded in the series and placing the country 74th in the global ranking. The decline from the early‑2000s peak reflects a persistent erosion of transparent, predictable, and impartial rule‑making, with the latest 2025 value of 0.39 matching the scores of peers such as Kuwait (0.39) and Seychelles (0.39) and trailing behind Antigua and Barbuda (0.41). The 26‑year coverage shows a steady downward trajectory rather than short‑term volatility, suggesting structural weaknesses in Italy’s regulatory institutions. If reforms that enhance legal certainty, reduce discretionary power, and strengthen independent oversight are implemented, the downward trend could be halted and the score may begin to recover in the medium term.
Data & projection
| Year | Regulatory Quality | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 0.34 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 0.39 | - | - |
| 2025 | 0.39 | −0.25 | #74 |
| 2023 | 0.64 | +0.13 | #53 |
| 2022 | 0.51 | −0.02 | #61 |
| 2021 | 0.53 | +0.04 | #61 |
| 2020 | 0.49 | −0.46 | #62 |
| 2019 | 0.94 | +0.23 | #45 |
| 2018 | 0.72 | +0.02 | #48 |
| 2017 | 0.69 | −0.01 | #49 |
| 2016 | 0.70 | −0.01 | #51 |
| 2015 | 0.71 | +0.07 | #50 |
| 2014 | 0.64 | −0.14 | #55 |
| 2013 | 0.78 | +0.03 | #47 |
| 2012 | 0.74 | +0.03 | #48 |
| 2011 | 0.71 | −0.18 | #47 |
| 2010 | 0.89 | −0.07 | #44 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Italy matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 1986. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw regulatory quality improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Italy's regulatory quality was 0.39 in 2025. Ranked 74th globally. This represents a 39.0% decrease from the previous year.
Italy's regulatory quality peaked at 1.08 in 2004.
The lowest regulatory quality in Italy was 0.39 in 2025.
Italy ranks 74th globally in regulatory quality as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is RQ.EST. Data sourced from World Bank WGI.
Italy's regulatory quality is projected to reach 0.39 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The regulatory quality of Italy in 2025 was 0.39. This ranks 74th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_italy_regulatory-quality,
title = {Italy Regulatory Quality},
url = {https://historysaid.com/italy/regulatory-quality/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}