Vanuatu Rule of Law
Rule of Law RL.EST
Vanuatu's rule of law was 0.24 in 2025, ranked 90th globally. This represents a 68.8% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank WGI, covering 1996–2025.
Overview
Vanuatu's rule of law stood at 0.24 in 2025, a rise of +0.10 from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 0.24 by 2025. Vanuatu ranked 90th globally.
Vanuatu’s Rule of Law score, measured by the World Bank’s Worldwide Governance Indicators, has fallen to 0.24 in 2025, placing the nation at 90th in the global ranking. This represents a steep decline from the all‑time peak of 0.91 recorded in 2003, a period when institutional frameworks were relatively robust, and from the earliest available figure of 0.32 in 1996. The downward trajectory accelerated after the all‑time trough of 0.12 in 2015, suggesting persistent challenges in judicial independence, enforcement of contracts and protection of property rights. Over the 26‑year coverage span, Vanuatu’s performance lags behind peers such as the Bahamas (0.24) and Thailand (0.23), and trails Fiji (0.27) and the Maldives (0.20), indicating that regional comparators have maintained slightly higher governance standards. Continued reforms to strengthen legal institutions, improve transparency and reduce corruption could reverse the decline, while failure to address these issues may entrench the current low trajectory.
Data & projection
| Year | Rule of Law | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 0.23 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 0.24 | - | - |
| 2025 | 0.24 | +0.10 | #90 |
| 2023 | 0.14 | −0.18 | #91 |
| 2022 | 0.32 | −0.13 | #82 |
| 2021 | 0.45 | +0.15 | #68 |
| 2020 | 0.30 | +0.09 | #77 |
| 2019 | 0.21 | −0.18 | #81 |
| 2018 | 0.39 | −0.14 | #68 |
| 2017 | 0.53 | +0.13 | #61 |
| 2016 | 0.40 | +0.28 | #70 |
| 2015 | 0.12 | −0.11 | #81 |
| 2014 | 0.23 | −0.14 | #71 |
| 2013 | 0.37 | +0.03 | #73 |
| 2012 | 0.34 | +0.04 | #75 |
| 2011 | 0.30 | +0.03 | #75 |
| 2010 | 0.26 | −0.14 | #76 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Vanuatu matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2019. 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
Vanuatu's rule of law was 0.24 in 2025. Ranked 90th globally. This represents a 68.8% increase from the previous year.
Vanuatu's rule of law peaked at 0.91 in 2003.
The lowest rule of law in Vanuatu was 0.12 in 2015.
Vanuatu ranks 90th globally in rule of law as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is RL.EST. Data sourced from World Bank WGI.
Vanuatu's rule of law is projected to reach 0.24 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The rule of law of Vanuatu in 2025 was 0.24. This ranks 90th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_vanuatu_rule-of-law,
title = {Vanuatu Rule of Law},
url = {https://historysaid.com/vanuatu/rule-of-law/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}