Rule of Law - Ranking 2009
In 2009, Finland (1.96), Sweden (1.96), and New Zealand (1.92) ranked highest in rule of law among all countries. Somalia, Fed. Rep. ranked lowest at -2.45.
Data & analysis
- Denmark — 1.97
- Finland — 1.93
- Luxembourg — 1.77
- Liechtenstein — 1.76
- Ireland — 1.75
The 2025 World Bank Rule of Law index, covering 203 countries, reveals a stark global divide in institutional integrity. The top of the ranking is dominated by Nordic and European states, with Denmark at 1.9664 and Finland at 1.9332, reflecting deep-rooted traditions of judicial independence, low corruption, and consistent contract enforcement. These nations share a structural commitment to transparent governance and social trust, which sustains their high scores. At the opposite extreme, South Sudan at -2.1858 and Somalia at -2.15 exemplify states where prolonged conflict, weak state capacity, and the absence of a functioning judiciary prevent the establishment of any reliable legal framework. The bottom nations are often trapped in cycles of violence that preclude the basic security needed for rule-of-law institutions to take root. As global economic pressures and digital governance models evolve, the current leaderboard could be reshuffled if emerging economies successfully implement anti-corruption reforms and independent judicial systems.
| Rank | Country | Value | YoY % |
|---|---|---|---|