United Kingdom Rule of Law
Rule of Law RL.EST
United Kingdom's rule of law was 1.29 in 2025, ranked 27th globally. This represents a 7.7% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank WGI, covering 1996–2025.
Overview
United Kingdom's rule of law stood at 1.29 in 2025, a decline of +0.11 from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 1.29 by 2025. United Kingdom ranked 27th globally.
The United Kingdom’s Rule of Law score on the World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators has fallen from an all‑time peak of 1.87 in 2014 to a trough of 1.29 in 2025, the lowest value recorded over the 26‑year series and placing the country 27th globally. The earliest available figure in 1996 stood at 1.63, indicating a long‑term downward trajectory that accelerated after the mid‑2010s. By contrast, peer jurisdictions such as Aruba and Belgium register scores of 1.30, while Korea records a slightly lower 1.24, underscoring that the United Kingdom now lags behind comparable advanced economies. The decline reflects cumulative pressures on judicial independence, law enforcement effectiveness, and contract enforcement, all of which have eroded confidence in the legal framework. If legislative reforms strengthen judicial oversight and improve procedural transparency, the United Kingdom could arrest the slide and begin a modest recovery in future Rule of Law assessments.
Data & projection
| Year | Rule of Law | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 1.25 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 1.29 | - | - |
| 2025 | 1.29 | −0.11 | #27 |
| 2023 | 1.40 | −0.02 | #23 |
| 2022 | 1.41 | +0.02 | #23 |
| 2021 | 1.40 | −0.07 | #22 |
| 2020 | 1.46 | −0.11 | #21 |
| 2019 | 1.57 | −0.03 | #17 |
| 2018 | 1.60 | −0.04 | #17 |
| 2017 | 1.65 | +0.01 | #15 |
| 2016 | 1.64 | −0.13 | #16 |
| 2015 | 1.77 | −0.10 | #14 |
| 2014 | 1.87 | +0.19 | #12 |
| 2013 | 1.69 | −0.04 | #14 |
| 2012 | 1.73 | +0.07 | #12 |
| 2011 | 1.66 | −0.12 | #16 |
| 2010 | 1.77 | +0.04 | #10 |
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 rule of law improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
United Kingdom's rule of law was 1.29 in 2025. Ranked 27th globally. This represents a 7.7% decrease from the previous year.
United Kingdom's rule of law peaked at 1.87 in 2014.
The lowest rule of law in United Kingdom was 1.29 in 2025.
United Kingdom ranks 27th globally in rule of law as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is RL.EST. Data sourced from World Bank WGI.
United Kingdom's rule of law is projected to reach 1.29 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The rule of law of United Kingdom in 2025 was 1.29. This ranks 27th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_united-kingdom_rule-of-law,
title = {United Kingdom Rule of Law},
url = {https://historysaid.com/united-kingdom/rule-of-law/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}