Trinidad and Tobago Rule of Law
Rule of Law RL.EST
Trinidad and Tobago's rule of law was -0.28 in 2025, ranked 118th globally. This represents a 1.2% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank WGI, covering 1996–2025.
Overview
Trinidad and Tobago's rule of law stood at -0.28 in 2025, a rise of +0.00 from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach -0.28 by 2025. Trinidad and Tobago ranked 118th globally.
Trinidad and Tobago’s Rule of Law score, measured by the World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators, has fallen sharply from an early‑year high of 0.59 in 1998 to a trough of –0.28 in 2023, the same figure recorded in the latest 2025 update and placing the country 118th out of 193 nations. The 26‑year series shows a steady decline after the 1990s, with the index moving from a positive 0.53 in 1996 to negative territory for the first time in 2021, reflecting weakening judicial independence, inconsistent enforcement of contracts and growing concerns over corruption. Compared with peer nations of similar rank, Trinidad and Tobago’s score is marginally lower than Tunisia’s –0.27 and slightly above Tanzania’s –0.30, suggesting that regional governance challenges are shared but not identical. If reforms strengthening judicial capacity, transparency and anti‑corruption measures are implemented, the downward trajectory could be arrested and the score may begin to improve in the medium term.
Data & projection
| Year | Rule of Law | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | -0.30 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | -0.28 | - | - |
| 2025 | -0.28 | +0.00 | #118 |
| 2023 | -0.28 | −0.12 | #117 |
| 2022 | -0.17 | −0.01 | #108 |
| 2021 | -0.16 | +0.01 | #106 |
| 2020 | -0.17 | −0.00 | #104 |
| 2019 | -0.17 | −0.00 | #102 |
| 2018 | -0.17 | −0.04 | #101 |
| 2017 | -0.13 | +0.08 | #100 |
| 2016 | -0.21 | −0.05 | #108 |
| 2015 | -0.16 | −0.05 | #95 |
| 2014 | -0.11 | +0.10 | #93 |
| 2013 | -0.20 | −0.04 | #103 |
| 2012 | -0.17 | +0.01 | #99 |
| 2011 | -0.18 | +0.02 | #100 |
| 2010 | -0.20 | +0.01 | #102 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Trinidad and Tobago matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2014. 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
Trinidad and Tobago's rule of law was -0.28 in 2025. Ranked 118th globally. This represents a 1.2% increase from the previous year.
Trinidad and Tobago's rule of law peaked at 0.59 in 1998.
The lowest rule of law in Trinidad and Tobago was -0.28 in 2023.
Trinidad and Tobago ranks 118th globally in rule of law as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is RL.EST. Data sourced from World Bank WGI.
Trinidad and Tobago's rule of law is projected to reach -0.28 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The rule of law of Trinidad and Tobago in 2025 was -0.28. This ranks 118th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_trinidad-and-tobago_rule-of-law,
title = {Trinidad and Tobago Rule of Law},
url = {https://historysaid.com/trinidad-and-tobago/rule-of-law/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}