Sweden Rule of Law
Rule of Law RL.EST
Sweden's rule of law was 1.53 in 2025, ranked 18th globally. This represents a 4.7% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank WGI, covering 1996–2025.
Overview
Sweden's rule of law stood at 1.53 in 2025, a decline of +0.08 from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 1.53 by 2025. Sweden ranked 18th globally.
Sweden’s Rule of Law score on the World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators has slipped from a historic high of 1.99 in 2015 to 1.53 in 2025, placing it 18th globally and tying it with Germany’s 1.53 while remaining above Andorra’s 1.47 and below Estonia’s 1.55. The 26‑year series shows a gradual erosion after the early‑2000s peak, with the most pronounced decline occurring between 2015 and 2025, when the index fell by 0.46 points. This downward trajectory reverses the upward trend observed in the late 1990s, when Sweden recorded its earliest figure of 1.80, suggesting that institutional robustness has weakened despite the country’s traditionally strong legal framework. Contributing factors may include increased politicisation of the judiciary and challenges in maintaining independent oversight. If reforms that reinforce judicial independence and transparency are implemented, the current negative momentum could be halted, allowing Sweden to regain its former standing in the near future.
Data & projection
| Year | Rule of Law | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 1.48 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 1.53 | - | - |
| 2025 | 1.53 | −0.08 | #18 |
| 2023 | 1.60 | −0.08 | #14 |
| 2022 | 1.69 | −0.01 | #13 |
| 2021 | 1.70 | −0.07 | #11 |
| 2020 | 1.77 | −0.02 | #8 |
| 2019 | 1.79 | +0.01 | #8 |
| 2018 | 1.78 | −0.04 | #7 |
| 2017 | 1.82 | −0.13 | #5 |
| 2016 | 1.95 | −0.04 | #3 |
| 2015 | 1.99 | +0.02 | #3 |
| 2014 | 1.98 | +0.02 | #6 |
| 2013 | 1.95 | +0.02 | #3 |
| 2012 | 1.93 | +0.01 | #3 |
| 2011 | 1.92 | −0.01 | #3 |
| 2010 | 1.93 | −0.03 | #2 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Sweden matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2007. 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
Sweden's rule of law was 1.53 in 2025. Ranked 18th globally. This represents a 4.7% decrease from the previous year.
Sweden's rule of law peaked at 1.99 in 2015.
The lowest rule of law in Sweden was 1.53 in 2025.
Sweden ranks 18th globally in rule of law as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is RL.EST. Data sourced from World Bank WGI.
Sweden's rule of law is projected to reach 1.53 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The rule of law of Sweden in 2025 was 1.53. This ranks 18th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_sweden_rule-of-law,
title = {Sweden Rule of Law},
url = {https://historysaid.com/sweden/rule-of-law/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}