Kosovo Rule of Law

Kosovo’s Rule of Law index has deteriorated markedly since the early 2000s, slipping from a modest –0.02 in 2000 – its all‑time peak – to a pronounced trough of –0.86 in 2006, before stabilising at –0.26 in the most recent 2025 assessment, placing the country 116th globally. The 24‑year coverage shows a persistent downward trajectory, with the 2006 low reflecting a period of institutional fragility and limited judicial independence. By contrast, peers such as Guyana (–0.26) and Tunisia (–0.27) occupy similar positions in the ranking, suggesting that Kosovo’s challenges are shared by other economies with comparable governance constraints. The modest recovery to –0.26 indicates incremental reforms, yet the index remains well below the World Bank’s median, underscoring the need for sustained capacity‑building in the judiciary, anti‑corruption measures, and enforcement of legal standards. Continued progress will depend on political commitment and external support, which could reverse the current downward bias and set Kosovo on a more positive rule‑of‑law trajectory.