United States Regulatory Quality
Regulatory Quality RQ.EST
United States's regulatory quality was 1.49 in 2025, ranked 16th globally. This represents a 6.8% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank WGI, covering 1996–2025.
Overview
United States's regulatory quality stood at 1.49 in 2025, a rise of +0.09 from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 1.49 by 2025. United States ranked 16th globally.
The United States recorded a Regulatory Quality score of 1.49 in 2025, placing it 16th among World Bank WGI respondents and just below the United Kingdom’s 1.50 and above Lithuania’s 1.47. The indicator, which gauges the government’s ability to implement sound policies and regulations, has trended downward since its all‑time peak of 1.70 in 2000, falling to an all‑time trough of 1.24 in 2020 before modestly recovering over the past five years. Over the 26‑year coverage period, the U.S. average has hovered around 1.55, reflecting a gradual erosion of regulatory effectiveness amid political polarization and shifting administrative priorities. Compared with peers such as Japan, which posted 1.55, the United States remains near the median of advanced economies but lags behind the highest‑ranking jurisdictions. Continued emphasis on regulatory reform, transparency and stakeholder engagement could stabilize the score and potentially reverse the recent decline.
Data & projection
| Year | Regulatory Quality | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 1.52 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 1.49 | - | - |
| 2025 | 1.49 | +0.09 | #16 |
| 2023 | 1.39 | −0.03 | #20 |
| 2022 | 1.42 | −0.02 | #20 |
| 2021 | 1.44 | +0.20 | #20 |
| 2020 | 1.24 | −0.10 | #27 |
| 2019 | 1.33 | −0.28 | #23 |
| 2018 | 1.61 | −0.01 | #16 |
| 2017 | 1.62 | +0.13 | #16 |
| 2016 | 1.49 | +0.24 | #18 |
| 2015 | 1.24 | −0.03 | #28 |
| 2014 | 1.28 | +0.02 | #22 |
| 2013 | 1.26 | −0.03 | #27 |
| 2012 | 1.29 | −0.16 | #26 |
| 2011 | 1.46 | +0.01 | #18 |
| 2010 | 1.44 | +0.05 | #18 |
Analysis
United States's regulatory quality was 1.49 in 2025, a rise of +0.09 from 2024. Based on trends, estimated 1.49 by 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
United States's regulatory quality was 1.49 in 2025. Ranked 16th globally. This represents a 6.8% increase from the previous year.
United States's regulatory quality peaked at 1.70 in 2000.
The lowest regulatory quality in United States was 1.24 in 2020.
United States ranks 16th globally in regulatory quality as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is RQ.EST. Data sourced from World Bank WGI.
United States's regulatory quality is projected to reach 1.49 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The regulatory quality of United States in 2025 was 1.49. This ranks 16th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_united-states_regulatory-quality,
title = {United States Regulatory Quality},
url = {https://historysaid.com/united-states/regulatory-quality/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}