United Kingdom Government Effectiveness
Government Effectiveness GE.EST
United Kingdom's government effectiveness was 1.02 in 2025, ranked 38th globally. This represents a 12.5% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank WGI, covering 1996–2025.
Overview
United Kingdom's government effectiveness stood at 1.02 in 2025, a decline of +0.15 from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 1.02 by 2025. United Kingdom ranked 38th globally.
The United Kingdom’s Government Effectiveness score has fallen from its all‑time peak of 1.88 in 1996 to a trough of 1.02 in 2025, placing it 38th among 190 economies in the World Bank’s Worldwide Governance Indicators. Over the 26‑year series the decline reflects weakening public‑service capacity, reduced policy credibility and deteriorating regulatory quality, especially evident during the fiscal and administrative strains of the 2010s and the post‑Brexit adjustment period. By contrast, France records a slightly higher score of 1.05 and Lithuania 1.04, underscoring the United Kingdom’s lag among comparable advanced economies. The persistent downward trajectory suggests that without substantive reforms to improve bureaucratic efficiency, transparency and policy implementation, the United Kingdom is likely to remain near the lower end of the effectiveness distribution in the near future.
Data & projection
| Year | Government Effectiveness | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 0.95 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 1.02 | - | - |
| 2025 | 1.02 | −0.15 | #38 |
| 2023 | 1.16 | −0.08 | #30 |
| 2022 | 1.24 | −0.00 | #28 |
| 2021 | 1.24 | −0.09 | #30 |
| 2020 | 1.33 | −0.12 | #24 |
| 2019 | 1.45 | +0.09 | #22 |
| 2018 | 1.36 | −0.07 | #25 |
| 2017 | 1.43 | −0.14 | #21 |
| 2016 | 1.57 | −0.13 | #17 |
| 2015 | 1.71 | +0.08 | #13 |
| 2014 | 1.62 | +0.11 | #16 |
| 2013 | 1.51 | −0.08 | #19 |
| 2012 | 1.59 | −0.01 | #15 |
| 2011 | 1.60 | −0.01 | #15 |
| 2010 | 1.62 | +0.11 | #16 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
United Kingdom matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 1985. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw government effectiveness improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
United Kingdom's government effectiveness was 1.02 in 2025. Ranked 38th globally. This represents a 12.5% decrease from the previous year.
United Kingdom's government effectiveness peaked at 1.88 in 1996.
The lowest government effectiveness in United Kingdom was 1.02 in 2025.
United Kingdom ranks 38th globally in government effectiveness as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is GE.EST. Data sourced from World Bank WGI.
United Kingdom's government effectiveness is projected to reach 1.02 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The government effectiveness of United Kingdom in 2025 was 1.02. This ranks 38th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_united-kingdom_government-effectiveness,
title = {United Kingdom Government Effectiveness},
url = {https://historysaid.com/united-kingdom/government-effectiveness/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}