Puerto Rico (US) Government Effectiveness
Government Effectiveness GE.EST
Puerto Rico (US)'s government effectiveness was -0.56 in 2025, ranked 141st globally. This represents a 43.7% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank WGI, covering 1996–2025.
Overview
Puerto Rico (US)'s government effectiveness stood at -0.56 in 2025, a decline of +0.17 from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach -0.56 by 2025. Puerto Rico (US) ranked 141st globally.
Puerto Rico's government effectiveness has experienced a significant decline over the past 26 years. Since its peak in 1996 with a score of 1.16, the US territory has seen its effectiveness plummet to -0.56 in 2025, ranking it #141 globally. This downward trend is particularly concerning when compared to its peer countries, with Tajikistan boasting a slightly better score of -0.53. The drastic drop in effectiveness is a stark contrast to the territory's economic and social development goals. The island's struggles with debt, corruption, and bureaucratic inefficiencies have likely contributed to this decline. Unless significant reforms are implemented to address these issues, Puerto Rico's government effectiveness is unlikely to improve in the near future. A major shift in the trajectory of government effectiveness would likely require concerted efforts from both the local government and the US federal government to address the territory's underlying structural challenges.
Data & projection
| Year | Government Effectiveness | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | -0.62 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | -0.56 | - | - |
| 2025 | -0.56 | −0.17 | #141 |
| 2023 | -0.39 | +0.09 | #129 |
| 2022 | -0.48 | −0.18 | #134 |
| 2021 | -0.30 | −0.00 | #123 |
| 2020 | -0.30 | −0.10 | #121 |
| 2019 | -0.20 | −0.01 | #114 |
| 2018 | -0.19 | −0.06 | #109 |
| 2017 | -0.13 | −0.49 | #103 |
| 2016 | 0.36 | +0.03 | #66 |
| 2015 | 0.32 | −0.04 | #65 |
| 2014 | 0.36 | +0.00 | #63 |
| 2013 | 0.36 | −0.04 | #70 |
| 2012 | 0.40 | +0.06 | #69 |
| 2011 | 0.33 | +0.01 | #69 |
| 2010 | 0.32 | −0.04 | #69 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Puerto Rico (US) matched the Stagflation Risk pattern in 1981. Historically, 38% of countries showing this pattern (117 out of 307) saw government effectiveness improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Puerto Rico (US)'s government effectiveness was -0.56 in 2025. Ranked 141st globally. This represents a 43.7% decrease from the previous year.
Puerto Rico (US)'s government effectiveness peaked at 1.16 in 1996.
The lowest government effectiveness in Puerto Rico (US) was -0.56 in 2025.
Puerto Rico (US) ranks 141st globally in government effectiveness as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is GE.EST. Data sourced from World Bank WGI.
Puerto Rico (US)'s government effectiveness is projected to reach -0.56 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The government effectiveness of Puerto Rico (US) in 2025 was -0.56. This ranks 141st in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_puerto-rico-us_government-effectiveness,
title = {Puerto Rico (US) Government Effectiveness},
url = {https://historysaid.com/puerto-rico-us/government-effectiveness/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}