Nepal Rule of Law
Rule of Law RL.EST
Nepal's rule of law was -0.39 in 2025, ranked 125th globally. This represents a 14.8% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank WGI, covering 1996–2025.
Overview
Nepal's rule of law stood at -0.39 in 2025, a rise of +0.07 from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach -0.39 by 2025. Nepal ranked 125th globally.
Since 1996 Nepal’s Rule of Law score has slipped from –0.01 to –0.39 in 2025, placing the country at 125th in the global ranking. The modest peak of 0.01 in 1998 was quickly undone, and the sharpest decline occurred in 2010 when the index plunged to an all‑time trough of –0.96, reflecting a period of weakened judicial independence and limited enforcement of contracts. Over the 26‑year coverage, the downward trajectory has been steady rather than episodic, leaving Nepal clustered with peers such as the Philippines (–0.39) and Bosnia and Herzegovina (–0.40) in the lower‑middle tier of the World Bank’s Worldwide Governance Indicators. Persistent challenges in legal infrastructure, corruption control, and dispute resolution have constrained improvement, while recent reforms have only marginally softened the slide. Continued investment in judicial capacity, transparent law‑making and anti‑corruption measures will be essential if Nepal hopes to reverse the current trend and lift its Rule of Law score in the coming years.
Data & projection
| Year | Rule of Law | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | -0.37 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | -0.39 | - | - |
| 2025 | -0.39 | +0.07 | #125 |
| 2023 | -0.46 | −0.01 | #133 |
| 2022 | -0.45 | +0.04 | #126 |
| 2021 | -0.49 | +0.02 | #134 |
| 2020 | -0.51 | +0.04 | #135 |
| 2019 | -0.55 | −0.06 | #139 |
| 2018 | -0.49 | +0.20 | #133 |
| 2017 | -0.69 | +0.12 | #147 |
| 2016 | -0.81 | −0.12 | #160 |
| 2015 | -0.69 | −0.04 | #143 |
| 2014 | -0.65 | +0.07 | #138 |
| 2013 | -0.72 | +0.02 | #144 |
| 2012 | -0.74 | +0.15 | #147 |
| 2011 | -0.89 | +0.07 | #158 |
| 2010 | -0.96 | −0.09 | #166 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Nepal matched the Stagflation Risk pattern in 2016. Historically, 38% of countries showing this pattern (117 out of 307) saw rule of law improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Nepal's rule of law was -0.39 in 2025. Ranked 125th globally. This represents a 14.8% increase from the previous year.
Nepal's rule of law peaked at 0.01 in 1998.
The lowest rule of law in Nepal was -0.96 in 2010.
Nepal ranks 125th globally in rule of law as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is RL.EST. Data sourced from World Bank WGI.
Nepal's rule of law is projected to reach -0.39 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The rule of law of Nepal in 2025 was -0.39. This ranks 125th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_nepal_rule-of-law,
title = {Nepal Rule of Law},
url = {https://historysaid.com/nepal/rule-of-law/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}