Myanmar Rule of Law
Rule of Law RL.EST
Myanmar's rule of law was -1.94 in 2025, ranked 200th globally. This represents a 20.0% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank WGI, covering 1996–2025.
Overview
Myanmar's rule of law stood at -1.94 in 2025, a decline of +0.32 from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach -1.94 by 2025. Myanmar ranked 200th globally.
Myanmar’s rule‑of‑law score on the World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators has slipped from a modest peak of –0.90 in 2016 to an all‑time trough of –1.94 in 2025, placing the country 200th out of 200 economies. Over the 26‑year coverage period the index moved from –1.58 in 1996 to the current –1.94, reflecting a steady deterioration in the predictability of legal processes, protection of property rights and impartiality of the judiciary. The latest figure is marginally better than that of the Syrian Arab Republic (–2.02) but worse than Yemen (–1.88) and Eritrea (–1.87), underscoring Myanmar’s position among the world’s weakest rule‑of‑law performers. The decline coincides with prolonged political instability and limited reforms since the mid‑2010s, suggesting that without substantive institutional changes or a credible peace settlement, the downward trajectory is likely to persist. A concerted effort to strengthen judicial independence could, however, alter this path.
Data & projection
| Year | Rule of Law | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | -2.08 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | -1.94 | - | - |
| 2025 | -1.94 | −0.32 | #200 |
| 2023 | -1.62 | −0.09 | #191 |
| 2022 | -1.53 | −0.06 | #192 |
| 2021 | -1.47 | −0.27 | #192 |
| 2020 | -1.20 | −0.12 | #181 |
| 2019 | -1.08 | −0.04 | #175 |
| 2018 | -1.04 | −0.08 | #171 |
| 2017 | -0.96 | −0.06 | #169 |
| 2016 | -0.90 | +0.36 | #165 |
| 2015 | -1.26 | −0.06 | #188 |
| 2014 | -1.19 | +0.05 | #185 |
| 2013 | -1.24 | +0.11 | #184 |
| 2012 | -1.36 | +0.08 | #191 |
| 2011 | -1.44 | +0.11 | #195 |
| 2010 | -1.55 | −0.02 | #197 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Myanmar matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2009. 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
Myanmar's rule of law was -1.94 in 2025. Ranked 200th globally. This represents a 20.0% decrease from the previous year.
Myanmar's rule of law peaked at -0.90 in 2016.
The lowest rule of law in Myanmar was -1.94 in 2025.
Myanmar ranks 200th globally in rule of law as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is RL.EST. Data sourced from World Bank WGI.
Myanmar's rule of law is projected to reach -1.94 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The rule of law of Myanmar in 2025 was -1.94. This ranks 200th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_myanmar_rule-of-law,
title = {Myanmar Rule of Law},
url = {https://historysaid.com/myanmar/rule-of-law/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}