Timor-Leste Rule of Law
Rule of Law RL.EST
Timor-Leste's rule of law was -0.65 in 2025, ranked 147th globally. This represents a 22.1% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank WGI, covering 1996–2025.
Overview
Timor-Leste's rule of law stood at -0.65 in 2025, a rise of +0.18 from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach -0.65 by 2025. Timor-Leste ranked 147th globally.
Timor‑Leste’s Rule of Law score on the World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators stands at –0.65 in 2025, placing it 147th globally and tying it with Niger’s –0.65 and closely matching Uzbekistan (–0.66) and Paraguay (–0.63). The index, which aggregates perceptions of legal accountability, contract enforcement and judicial independence, has covered 26 years for the country. After a brief ascent to a historic peak of 0.27 in 2000, Timor‑Leste experienced a sharp decline to its all‑time trough of –1.57 in 1998, a period marked by post‑independence turmoil and institutional fragility. Since then the trajectory has been modestly upward, moving from the low‑70s in the early 2000s to the current –0.65, yet it remains well below the global average. Continued reforms in judicial capacity, anti‑corruption measures and the strengthening of civil‑society oversight could lift the score further, suggesting a gradual improvement if political will persists.
Data & projection
| Year | Rule of Law | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | -0.56 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | -0.65 | - | - |
| 2025 | -0.65 | +0.18 | #147 |
| 2023 | -0.83 | +0.05 | #158 |
| 2022 | -0.88 | +0.14 | #161 |
| 2021 | -1.03 | +0.17 | #169 |
| 2020 | -1.20 | −0.07 | #183 |
| 2019 | -1.13 | +0.01 | #179 |
| 2018 | -1.14 | +0.03 | #182 |
| 2017 | -1.17 | +0.00 | #183 |
| 2016 | -1.18 | −0.04 | #183 |
| 2015 | -1.13 | −0.02 | #179 |
| 2014 | -1.11 | +0.10 | #179 |
| 2013 | -1.21 | −0.07 | #182 |
| 2012 | -1.14 | +0.04 | #182 |
| 2011 | -1.19 | −0.00 | #180 |
| 2010 | -1.19 | +0.02 | #180 |
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 rule of law improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Timor-Leste's rule of law was -0.65 in 2025. Ranked 147th globally. This represents a 22.1% increase from the previous year.
Timor-Leste's rule of law peaked at 0.27 in 2000.
The lowest rule of law in Timor-Leste was -1.57 in 1998.
Timor-Leste ranks 147th globally in rule of law as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is RL.EST. Data sourced from World Bank WGI.
Timor-Leste's rule of law is projected to reach -0.65 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The rule of law of Timor-Leste in 2025 was -0.65. This ranks 147th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_timor-leste_rule-of-law,
title = {Timor-Leste Rule of Law},
url = {https://historysaid.com/timor-leste/rule-of-law/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}