United Kingdom Regulatory Quality
Regulatory Quality RQ.EST
United Kingdom's regulatory quality was 1.50 in 2025, ranked 15th globally. This represents a 2.1% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank WGI, covering 1996–2025.
Overview
United Kingdom's regulatory quality stood at 1.50 in 2025, a decline of +0.03 from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 1.50 by 2025. United Kingdom ranked 15th globally.
The United Kingdom’s regulatory quality score has slipped from its all‑time peak of 2.02 in 1996 to a trough of 1.45 in 2021, before modestly recovering to 1.50 in 2025, placing it fifteenth among 190 economies. Over the 26‑year coverage period the index, which gauges the government’s ability to formulate and implement sound policies and regulations, has shown a gradual downward bias, reflecting challenges such as Brexit‑related legislative adjustments and heightened scrutiny of financial‑sector oversight. By contrast, peer economies such as Japan (1.55) and the United States (1.49) have maintained slightly higher scores, suggesting comparatively more stable regulatory environments. Canada’s 1.63 illustrates that higher scores remain attainable among advanced economies. The recent uptick to 1.50 indicates a tentative reversal, but sustaining improvement will likely require coordinated reforms that enhance transparency, streamline rule‑making and reduce regulatory uncertainty, especially as the UK navigates post‑Brexit trade arrangements.
Data & projection
| Year | Regulatory Quality | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 1.50 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 1.50 | - | - |
| 2025 | 1.50 | −0.03 | #15 |
| 2023 | 1.54 | −0.03 | #16 |
| 2022 | 1.57 | +0.11 | #15 |
| 2021 | 1.45 | −0.02 | #19 |
| 2020 | 1.47 | −0.14 | #17 |
| 2019 | 1.61 | −0.16 | #14 |
| 2018 | 1.77 | +0.06 | #10 |
| 2017 | 1.71 | −0.04 | #13 |
| 2016 | 1.75 | −0.09 | #11 |
| 2015 | 1.83 | +0.02 | #4 |
| 2014 | 1.82 | +0.06 | #7 |
| 2013 | 1.76 | +0.12 | #9 |
| 2012 | 1.64 | −0.01 | #12 |
| 2011 | 1.65 | −0.08 | #11 |
| 2010 | 1.73 | +0.15 | #6 |
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 regulatory quality improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
United Kingdom's regulatory quality was 1.50 in 2025. Ranked 15th globally. This represents a 2.1% decrease from the previous year.
United Kingdom's regulatory quality peaked at 2.02 in 1996.
The lowest regulatory quality in United Kingdom was 1.45 in 2021.
United Kingdom ranks 15th globally in regulatory quality as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is RQ.EST. Data sourced from World Bank WGI.
United Kingdom's regulatory quality is projected to reach 1.50 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The regulatory quality of United Kingdom in 2025 was 1.50. This ranks 15th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_united-kingdom_regulatory-quality,
title = {United Kingdom Regulatory Quality},
url = {https://historysaid.com/united-kingdom/regulatory-quality/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}