Mali Rule of Law
Rule of Law RL.EST
Mali's rule of law was -1.04 in 2025, ranked 170th globally. This represents a 6.6% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank WGI, covering 1996–2025.
Overview
Mali's rule of law stood at -1.04 in 2025, a decline of +0.06 from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach -1.04 by 2025. Mali ranked 170th globally.
Mali’s Rule of Law score on the World Bank’s Worldwide Governance Indicators has deteriorated sharply over the 26‑year series, falling from a modest 0.03 in 2003 – the highest level recorded – to –1.04 in 2025, the lowest point and the country’s all‑time trough. The early baseline in 1996 was –0.30, indicating that the decline accelerated after the early 2000s, with the most pronounced drop occurring in the last decade. In 2025 Mali ranks 170th globally, a position matched by peers such as the Republic of Congo (–1.00) and Guinea (–1.00), and only slightly better than Guatemala (–1.09) and Honduras (–1.10). The persistent slide reflects weakening judicial independence, limited access to legal services, and increasing politicisation of law enforcement. If reforms that strengthen institutional checks, improve court capacity and curb corruption are implemented, the downward trajectory could be halted and the score may begin to recover in the medium term.
Data & projection
| Year | Rule of Law | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | -1.07 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | -1.04 | - | - |
| 2025 | -1.04 | −0.06 | #170 |
| 2023 | -0.98 | +0.00 | #165 |
| 2022 | -0.98 | −0.06 | #166 |
| 2021 | -0.92 | +0.03 | #164 |
| 2020 | -0.95 | −0.08 | #165 |
| 2019 | -0.86 | −0.05 | #162 |
| 2018 | -0.82 | −0.02 | #159 |
| 2017 | -0.79 | +0.01 | #156 |
| 2016 | -0.80 | −0.05 | #156 |
| 2015 | -0.75 | −0.12 | #149 |
| 2014 | -0.64 | +0.11 | #137 |
| 2013 | -0.75 | −0.08 | #149 |
| 2012 | -0.66 | −0.16 | #140 |
| 2011 | -0.50 | −0.05 | #125 |
| 2010 | -0.45 | −0.08 | #121 |
Analysis
Mali's rule of law was -1.04 in 2025, a decline of −0.06 from 2024. Based on trends, estimated -1.04 by 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
Mali's rule of law was -1.04 in 2025. Ranked 170th globally. This represents a 6.6% decrease from the previous year.
Mali's rule of law peaked at 0.03 in 2003.
The lowest rule of law in Mali was -1.04 in 2025.
Mali ranks 170th globally in rule of law as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is RL.EST. Data sourced from World Bank WGI.
Mali's rule of law is projected to reach -1.04 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The rule of law of Mali in 2025 was -1.04. This ranks 170th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_mali_rule-of-law,
title = {Mali Rule of Law},
url = {https://historysaid.com/mali/rule-of-law/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}