West Bank and Gaza Rule of Law
Rule of Law RL.EST
West Bank and Gaza's rule of law was -0.72 in 2025, ranked 154th globally. This represents a 5.6% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank WGI, covering 1996–2025.
Overview
West Bank and Gaza's rule of law stood at -0.72 in 2025, a decline of +0.04 from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach -0.72 by 2025. West Bank and Gaza ranked 154th globally.
The West Bank and Gaza’s Rule of Law score on the World Bank WGI fell to –0.72 in 2025, placing it 154th in the global ranking and closely trailing Eswatini’s –0.71 and Cambodia’s –0.76. The territory began the 26‑year series at its highest point of –0.04 in 1996, but a steep decline culminated in an all‑time trough of –0.76 in 2008, after which the index has hovered near the low‑seven‑tenth range. The persistent weakening reflects chronic constraints on judicial independence, limited enforcement of contracts, and frequent disruptions to legal processes, conditions that have been exacerbated by political instability and fragmented governance. While the recent figure still exceeds the 2008 trough, it remains well below the early‑1990s benchmark, indicating that incremental reforms have yet to reverse the long‑term erosion of legal certainty. Strengthening institutional capacity and ensuring consistent application of the law could alter this downward trajectory and raise the score in forthcoming assessments.
Data & projection
| Year | Rule of Law | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | -0.77 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | -0.72 | - | - |
| 2025 | -0.72 | −0.04 | #154 |
| 2023 | -0.68 | −0.13 | #149 |
| 2022 | -0.56 | −0.04 | #140 |
| 2021 | -0.51 | −0.04 | #136 |
| 2020 | -0.47 | +0.03 | #130 |
| 2019 | -0.50 | −0.00 | #134 |
| 2018 | -0.50 | −0.07 | #134 |
| 2017 | -0.43 | −0.07 | #128 |
| 2016 | -0.36 | +0.16 | #124 |
| 2015 | -0.53 | −0.14 | #130 |
| 2014 | -0.38 | +0.02 | #116 |
| 2013 | -0.40 | +0.04 | #117 |
| 2012 | -0.45 | −0.01 | #120 |
| 2011 | -0.44 | −0.23 | #117 |
| 2010 | -0.21 | +0.11 | #104 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
West Bank and Gaza matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2008. 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
West Bank and Gaza's rule of law was -0.72 in 2025. Ranked 154th globally. This represents a 5.6% decrease from the previous year.
West Bank and Gaza's rule of law peaked at -0.04 in 1996.
The lowest rule of law in West Bank and Gaza was -0.76 in 2008.
West Bank and Gaza ranks 154th globally in rule of law as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is RL.EST. Data sourced from World Bank WGI.
West Bank and Gaza's rule of law is projected to reach -0.72 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The rule of law of West Bank and Gaza in 2025 was -0.72. This ranks 154th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_west-bank-and-gaza_rule-of-law,
title = {West Bank and Gaza Rule of Law},
url = {https://historysaid.com/west-bank-and-gaza/rule-of-law/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}