Portugal Regulatory Quality
Regulatory Quality RQ.EST
Portugal's regulatory quality was 0.62 in 2025, ranked 53rd globally. This represents a 18.1% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank WGI, covering 1996–2025.
Overview
Portugal's regulatory quality stood at 0.62 in 2025, a decline of +0.14 from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 0.62 by 2025. Portugal ranked 53rd globally.
Portugal's Regulatory Quality has experienced significant fluctuations over the past 26 years, with a peak of 1.28 in 2005 and a current ranking of #53 globally, corresponding to a score of 0.62 in 2025. This represents a decline of 0.46 points from its all-time high, with the country's regulatory environment showing a downward trend since 2005. Croatia, a peer country, has maintained a relatively stable score of 0.64 over the same period, while Cyprus and Puerto Rico exhibit scores of 0.61 and 0.72 respectively. The decline in Portugal's Regulatory Quality score is a cause for concern, as it suggests a less favorable business environment for investors and entrepreneurs. A commitment to structural reforms and improvements in the rule of law could help reverse this trend and potentially propel Portugal's score above its peer countries, thereby enhancing its competitiveness and economic growth prospects.
Data & projection
| Year | Regulatory Quality | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 0.57 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 0.62 | - | - |
| 2025 | 0.62 | −0.14 | #53 |
| 2023 | 0.76 | −0.01 | #47 |
| 2022 | 0.76 | +0.04 | #48 |
| 2021 | 0.72 | −0.10 | #51 |
| 2020 | 0.82 | −0.14 | #47 |
| 2019 | 0.96 | +0.08 | #44 |
| 2018 | 0.87 | −0.02 | #41 |
| 2017 | 0.90 | +0.06 | #41 |
| 2016 | 0.83 | −0.11 | #46 |
| 2015 | 0.94 | +0.20 | #40 |
| 2014 | 0.75 | −0.05 | #49 |
| 2013 | 0.80 | −0.02 | #46 |
| 2012 | 0.82 | +0.20 | #46 |
| 2011 | 0.62 | −0.10 | #55 |
| 2010 | 0.72 | −0.27 | #48 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Portugal matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2024. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw regulatory quality improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Portugal's regulatory quality was 0.62 in 2025. Ranked 53rd globally. This represents a 18.1% decrease from the previous year.
Portugal's regulatory quality peaked at 1.28 in 2005.
The lowest regulatory quality in Portugal was 0.62 in 2025.
Portugal ranks 53rd globally in regulatory quality as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is RQ.EST. Data sourced from World Bank WGI.
Portugal's regulatory quality is projected to reach 0.62 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The regulatory quality of Portugal in 2025 was 0.62. This ranks 53rd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_portugal_regulatory-quality,
title = {Portugal Regulatory Quality},
url = {https://historysaid.com/portugal/regulatory-quality/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}