Puerto Rico (US) Regulatory Quality
Regulatory Quality RQ.EST
Puerto Rico (US)'s regulatory quality was 0.72 in 2025, ranked 51st globally. This represents a 13.2% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank WGI, covering 1996–2025.
Overview
Puerto Rico (US)'s regulatory quality stood at 0.72 in 2025, a rise of +0.08 from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 0.72 by 2025. Puerto Rico (US) ranked 51st globally.
Puerto Rico's Regulatory Quality, as measured by the World Bank's Worldwide Governance Indicators, has displayed a downward trend over the past 26 years, from a peak of 1.27 in 1996 to 0.72 in 2025, ranking 51st globally. This decline represents a significant deterioration in the quality of the regulatory framework, with the country now lagging behind its peers such as Malaysia, which ranked 0.73 in 2025. The island's all-time low of 0.64 in 2023 signifies a marked shift away from the more favorable regulatory environment that existed in 1996. In comparison to Croatia, which also ranked 0.64 in 2025, Puerto Rico's decline is particularly notable given its stronger economic and institutional foundations. The trend suggests that Puerto Rico's regulatory environment remains a challenge to its economic development. Sustained investment in institutional capacity and regulatory reform could help reverse this trend and improve the island's business climate.
Data & projection
| Year | Regulatory Quality | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 0.71 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 0.72 | - | - |
| 2025 | 0.72 | +0.08 | #51 |
| 2023 | 0.64 | −0.21 | #55 |
| 2022 | 0.85 | +0.02 | #45 |
| 2021 | 0.83 | +0.04 | #47 |
| 2020 | 0.78 | +0.06 | #48 |
| 2019 | 0.72 | −0.22 | #49 |
| 2018 | 0.94 | +0.08 | #39 |
| 2017 | 0.86 | −0.08 | #42 |
| 2016 | 0.94 | −0.03 | #39 |
| 2015 | 0.97 | +0.08 | #38 |
| 2014 | 0.89 | +0.04 | #39 |
| 2013 | 0.85 | −0.07 | #45 |
| 2012 | 0.91 | +0.06 | #44 |
| 2011 | 0.85 | −0.00 | #44 |
| 2010 | 0.86 | −0.03 | #45 |
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 regulatory quality improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Puerto Rico (US)'s regulatory quality was 0.72 in 2025. Ranked 51st globally. This represents a 13.2% increase from the previous year.
Puerto Rico (US)'s regulatory quality peaked at 1.27 in 1996.
The lowest regulatory quality in Puerto Rico (US) was 0.64 in 2023.
Puerto Rico (US) ranks 51st globally in regulatory quality as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is RQ.EST. Data sourced from World Bank WGI.
Puerto Rico (US)'s regulatory quality is projected to reach 0.72 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The regulatory quality of Puerto Rico (US) in 2025 was 0.72. This ranks 51st in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_puerto-rico-us_regulatory-quality,
title = {Puerto Rico (US) Regulatory Quality},
url = {https://historysaid.com/puerto-rico-us/regulatory-quality/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}