Mauritania Rule of Law
Rule of Law RL.EST
Mauritania's rule of law was -0.68 in 2025, ranked 151st globally. This represents a 6.2% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank WGI, covering 1996–2025.
Overview
Mauritania's rule of law stood at -0.68 in 2025, a decline of +0.04 from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach -0.68 by 2025. Mauritania ranked 151st globally.
Mauritania’s Rule of Law score on the World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators has slipped from its early‑1996 level of –0.50 to –0.68 in 2025, placing the country 151st out of 193 nations. The index reached its best reading of –0.41 in 2000, a modest improvement that was undone by a sharp deterioration during the global financial crisis, when the score fell to an all‑time low of –1.16 in 2008. Over the 26‑year coverage period the trajectory has been consistently negative, reflecting persistent weaknesses in judicial independence, contract enforcement and protection of property rights. Mauritania’s current position is closely aligned with peers such as Algeria (–0.67) and Lao PDR (–0.69), both of which exhibit similarly constrained legal environments. Without substantive reforms to strengthen court capacity, reduce corruption and enhance regulatory transparency, the downward trend is likely to continue, whereas targeted institutional upgrades could reverse the decline and improve Mauritania’s standing in future assessments.
Data & projection
| Year | Rule of Law | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | -0.69 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | -0.68 | - | - |
| 2025 | -0.68 | −0.04 | #151 |
| 2023 | -0.64 | +0.01 | #147 |
| 2022 | -0.65 | +0.04 | #150 |
| 2021 | -0.69 | −0.08 | #151 |
| 2020 | -0.60 | +0.00 | #141 |
| 2019 | -0.61 | +0.10 | #144 |
| 2018 | -0.71 | −0.09 | #150 |
| 2017 | -0.62 | +0.13 | #141 |
| 2016 | -0.75 | +0.15 | #151 |
| 2015 | -0.89 | −0.02 | #166 |
| 2014 | -0.87 | +0.14 | #162 |
| 2013 | -1.01 | −0.07 | #171 |
| 2012 | -0.94 | −0.01 | #166 |
| 2011 | -0.93 | −0.03 | #164 |
| 2010 | -0.90 | −0.08 | #160 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Mauritania matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2006. 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
Mauritania's rule of law was -0.68 in 2025. Ranked 151st globally. This represents a 6.2% decrease from the previous year.
Mauritania's rule of law peaked at -0.41 in 2000.
The lowest rule of law in Mauritania was -1.16 in 2008.
Mauritania ranks 151st globally in rule of law as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is RL.EST. Data sourced from World Bank WGI.
Mauritania's rule of law is projected to reach -0.68 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The rule of law of Mauritania in 2025 was -0.68. This ranks 151st in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_mauritania_rule-of-law,
title = {Mauritania Rule of Law},
url = {https://historysaid.com/mauritania/rule-of-law/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}