Timor-Leste Regulatory Quality
Regulatory Quality RQ.EST
Timor-Leste's regulatory quality was -0.31 in 2025, ranked 116th globally. This represents a 36.6% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank WGI, covering 2002–2025.
Overview
Timor-Leste's regulatory quality stood at -0.31 in 2025, a rise of +0.18 from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach -0.31 by 2025. Timor-Leste ranked 116th globally.
Timor‑Leste’s regulatory quality score has risen steadily from a low of –1.23 in 2002 to an all‑time peak of –0.31 in 2025, placing the nation 116th among 190 economies in the World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators. The improvement follows a pronounced trough of –1.63 in 2007, after which reforms in public‑sector management and business licensing contributed to a gradual upward trajectory. With a 2025 score of –0.31, Timor‑Leste is closely aligned with peer economies such as Kosovo (‑0.29) and Mexico (‑0.32), suggesting comparable progress in aligning regulations with market needs. The 23‑year coverage shows that despite remaining below the global average, the country has narrowed the regulatory gap considerably. Continued institutional strengthening and digitisation of administrative procedures could accelerate this trend, potentially moving Timor‑Leste into the mid‑range of the index in the coming years.
Data & projection
| Year | Regulatory Quality | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | -0.22 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | -0.31 | - | - |
| 2025 | -0.31 | +0.18 | #116 |
| 2023 | -0.49 | −0.02 | #132 |
| 2022 | -0.47 | +0.30 | #133 |
| 2021 | -0.78 | −0.01 | #156 |
| 2020 | -0.76 | +0.01 | #153 |
| 2019 | -0.78 | +0.02 | #160 |
| 2018 | -0.79 | −0.05 | #158 |
| 2017 | -0.74 | +0.25 | #153 |
| 2016 | -0.99 | +0.00 | #177 |
| 2015 | -0.99 | −0.09 | #174 |
| 2014 | -0.91 | +0.09 | #164 |
| 2013 | -0.99 | +0.03 | #167 |
| 2012 | -1.02 | +0.03 | #170 |
| 2011 | -1.05 | +0.06 | #172 |
| 2010 | -1.11 | +0.05 | #174 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Timor-Leste matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2021. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw regulatory quality improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Timor-Leste's regulatory quality was -0.31 in 2025. Ranked 116th globally. This represents a 36.6% increase from the previous year.
Timor-Leste's regulatory quality peaked at -0.31 in 2025.
The lowest regulatory quality in Timor-Leste was -1.63 in 2007.
Timor-Leste ranks 116th globally in regulatory quality as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is RQ.EST. Data sourced from World Bank WGI.
Timor-Leste's regulatory quality is projected to reach -0.31 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The regulatory quality of Timor-Leste in 2025 was -0.31. This ranks 116th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_timor-leste_regulatory-quality,
title = {Timor-Leste Regulatory Quality},
url = {https://historysaid.com/timor-leste/regulatory-quality/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}