Libya Rule of Law
Rule of Law RL.EST
Libya's rule of law was -1.78 in 2025, ranked 197th globally. This represents a 0.4% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank WGI, covering 1996–2025.
Overview
Libya's rule of law stood at -1.78 in 2025, a decline of +0.01 from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach -1.78 by 2025. Libya ranked 197th globally.
Libya’s Rule of Law score has deteriorated markedly since the World Bank’s Governance Indicators began tracking the series in 1996, when the index stood at –1.18. The country reached its highest‑ever rating of –0.82 in 2008, a modest improvement that coincided with a period of relative political stability before the 2011 uprising. The subsequent decade saw a steady decline, culminating in an all‑time low of –1.88 in 2020 amid civil conflict and fragmented authority. By 2025 the score had risen slightly to –1.78, placing Libya 197th out of 197 economies, marginally better than Eritrea (–1.87) and close to Sudan (–1.75). The 26‑year coverage reflects persistent institutional weaknesses, limited judicial independence, and pervasive corruption, which together constrain investment and economic diversification. If security conditions improve and comprehensive legal reforms are enacted, the trajectory could shift upward, offering a modest but credible path toward stronger rule‑of‑law performance.
Data & projection
| Year | Rule of Law | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | -1.77 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | -1.78 | - | - |
| 2025 | -1.78 | −0.01 | #197 |
| 2023 | -1.77 | +0.03 | #199 |
| 2022 | -1.80 | +0.00 | #199 |
| 2021 | -1.80 | +0.08 | #198 |
| 2020 | -1.88 | −0.12 | #200 |
| 2019 | -1.76 | −0.07 | #196 |
| 2018 | -1.69 | −0.01 | #196 |
| 2017 | -1.68 | +0.01 | #195 |
| 2016 | -1.70 | −0.18 | #198 |
| 2015 | -1.52 | −0.13 | #196 |
| 2014 | -1.39 | −0.13 | #192 |
| 2013 | -1.26 | −0.28 | #185 |
| 2012 | -0.98 | +0.10 | #168 |
| 2011 | -1.08 | −0.07 | #174 |
| 2010 | -1.01 | −0.07 | #169 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Libya matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2017. 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
Libya's rule of law was -1.78 in 2025. Ranked 197th globally. This represents a 0.4% decrease from the previous year.
Libya's rule of law peaked at -0.82 in 2008.
The lowest rule of law in Libya was -1.88 in 2020.
Libya ranks 197th globally in rule of law as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is RL.EST. Data sourced from World Bank WGI.
Libya's rule of law is projected to reach -1.78 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The rule of law of Libya in 2025 was -1.78. This ranks 197th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_libya_rule-of-law,
title = {Libya Rule of Law},
url = {https://historysaid.com/libya/rule-of-law/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}