Netherlands Rule of Law
Rule of Law RL.EST
Netherlands's rule of law was 1.59 in 2025, ranked 14th globally. This represents a 2.9% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank WGI, covering 1996–2025.
Overview
Netherlands's rule of law stood at 1.59 in 2025, a decline of +0.05 from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 1.59 by 2025. Netherlands ranked 14th globally.
Netherlands’ rule‑of‑law score fell from a high of 1.97 in 2014 to 1.59 in 2025, the lowest figure recorded over the 26‑year series and placing the country 14th globally. The decline from the early‑1990s level of 1.70 reflects a gradual erosion of judicial independence, enforcement of contracts and protection against corruption, trends that have been echoed in peer economies such as Japan, which recorded the same 2025 score of 1.59, and San Marino, whose 2025 figure stood at 1.63. While the 2014 peak coincided with a period of robust legal reforms and heightened transparency, recent fiscal pressures and political fragmentation have strained institutional capacity, contributing to the current trough. Continued investment in legal infrastructure and reforms aimed at safeguarding judicial impartiality will be crucial if the Netherlands is to reverse the downward trajectory and regain the higher standards observed in the early 2010s.
Data & projection
| Year | Rule of Law | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 1.57 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 1.59 | - | - |
| 2025 | 1.59 | −0.05 | #14 |
| 2023 | 1.64 | −0.01 | #12 |
| 2022 | 1.66 | −0.04 | #14 |
| 2021 | 1.70 | −0.01 | #12 |
| 2020 | 1.71 | −0.03 | #12 |
| 2019 | 1.73 | −0.01 | #10 |
| 2018 | 1.74 | −0.01 | #10 |
| 2017 | 1.76 | −0.09 | #10 |
| 2016 | 1.85 | −0.06 | #7 |
| 2015 | 1.91 | −0.07 | #7 |
| 2014 | 1.97 | +0.15 | #7 |
| 2013 | 1.83 | −0.03 | #7 |
| 2012 | 1.85 | +0.04 | #7 |
| 2011 | 1.81 | +0.00 | #7 |
| 2010 | 1.81 | +0.00 | #7 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Netherlands matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2021. 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
Netherlands's rule of law was 1.59 in 2025. Ranked 14th globally. This represents a 2.9% decrease from the previous year.
Netherlands's rule of law peaked at 1.97 in 2014.
The lowest rule of law in Netherlands was 1.59 in 2025.
Netherlands ranks 14th globally in rule of law as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is RL.EST. Data sourced from World Bank WGI.
Netherlands's rule of law is projected to reach 1.59 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The rule of law of Netherlands in 2025 was 1.59. This ranks 14th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_netherlands_rule-of-law,
title = {Netherlands Rule of Law},
url = {https://historysaid.com/netherlands/rule-of-law/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}