Rule of Law Index by Country 2001

Compare countries by Rule of Law percentile rank, reflecting confidence in laws, courts, police, property rights, and protection from crime and violence.

213 data pointsWorldWorldwide Governance Indicators, World Bank (WB)

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Complete Data Rankings

Rank
1
Afghanistan flag
Afghanistan
NaN %
2
Albania flag
Albania
NaN %
3
Algeria flag
Algeria
NaN %
4
American Samoa flag
American Samoa
NaN %
5
Andorra flag
Andorra
NaN %
6
Angola flag
Angola
NaN %
7
Anguilla flag
Anguilla
NaN %
8
Antigua and Barbuda flag
Antigua and Barbuda
NaN %
9
Argentina flag
Argentina
NaN %
10
Armenia flag
Armenia
NaN %
11
Aruba flag
Aruba
NaN %
12
Australia flag
Australia
NaN %
13
Austria flag
Austria
NaN %
14
Azerbaijan flag
Azerbaijan
NaN %
15
Bahamas flag
Bahamas
NaN %
16
Bahrain flag
Bahrain
NaN %
17
Bangladesh flag
Bangladesh
NaN %
18
Barbados flag
Barbados
NaN %
19
Belarus flag
Belarus
NaN %
20
Belgium flag
Belgium
NaN %
21
Belize flag
Belize
NaN %
22
Benin flag
Benin
NaN %
23
Bermuda flag
Bermuda
NaN %
24
Bhutan flag
Bhutan
NaN %
25
Bolivia flag
Bolivia
NaN %
26
Bosnia and Herzegovina flag
Bosnia and Herzegovina
NaN %
27
Botswana flag
Botswana
NaN %
28
Brazil flag
Brazil
NaN %
29
Brunei Darussalam flag
Brunei Darussalam
NaN %
30
Bulgaria flag
Bulgaria
NaN %
31
Burkina Faso flag
Burkina Faso
NaN %
32
Burundi flag
Burundi
NaN %
33
Cabo Verde flag
Cabo Verde
NaN %
34
Cambodia flag
Cambodia
NaN %
35
Cameroon flag
Cameroon
NaN %
36
Canada flag
Canada
NaN %
37
Cayman Islands flag
Cayman Islands
NaN %
38
Central African Republic flag
Central African Republic
NaN %
39
Chad flag
Chad
NaN %
40
Chile flag
Chile
NaN %
41
China flag
China
NaN %
42
China, Hong Kong SAR flag
China, Hong Kong SAR
NaN %
43
China, Macao SAR flag
China, Macao SAR
NaN %
44
Colombia flag
Colombia
NaN %
45
Comoros flag
Comoros
NaN %
46
Congo flag
Congo
NaN %
47
Congo, Democratic Republic of the flag
Congo, Democratic Republic of the
NaN %
48
Cook Islands flag
Cook Islands
NaN %
49
Costa Rica flag
Costa Rica
NaN %
50
Côte d'Ivoire flag
Côte d'Ivoire
NaN %
51
Croatia flag
Croatia
NaN %
52
Cuba flag
Cuba
NaN %
53
Cyprus flag
Cyprus
NaN %
54
Czech Republic flag
Czech Republic
NaN %
55
Denmark flag
Denmark
NaN %
56
Djibouti flag
Djibouti
NaN %
57
Dominica flag
Dominica
NaN %
58
Dominican Republic flag
Dominican Republic
NaN %
59
Ecuador flag
Ecuador
NaN %
60
Egypt flag
Egypt
NaN %
61
El Salvador flag
El Salvador
NaN %
62
Equatorial Guinea flag
Equatorial Guinea
NaN %
63
Eritrea flag
Eritrea
NaN %
64
Estonia flag
Estonia
NaN %
65
Eswatini flag
Eswatini
NaN %
66
Ethiopia flag
Ethiopia
NaN %
67
Fiji flag
Fiji
NaN %
68
Finland flag
Finland
NaN %
69
France flag
France
NaN %
70
French Guiana flag
French Guiana
NaN %
71
Gabon flag
Gabon
NaN %
72
Gambia flag
Gambia
NaN %
73
Georgia flag
Georgia
NaN %
74
Germany flag
Germany
NaN %
75
Ghana flag
Ghana
NaN %
76
Greece flag
Greece
NaN %
77
Greenland flag
Greenland
NaN %
78
Grenada flag
Grenada
NaN %
79
Guam flag
Guam
NaN %
80
Guatemala flag
Guatemala
NaN %
81
Guinea flag
Guinea
NaN %
82
Guinea-Bissau flag
Guinea-Bissau
NaN %
83
Guyana flag
Guyana
NaN %
84
Haiti flag
Haiti
NaN %
85
Honduras flag
Honduras
NaN %
86
Hungary flag
Hungary
NaN %
87
Iceland flag
Iceland
NaN %
88
India flag
India
NaN %
89
Indonesia flag
Indonesia
NaN %
90
Iran flag
Iran
NaN %
91
Iraq flag
Iraq
NaN %
92
Ireland flag
Ireland
NaN %
93
Israel flag
Israel
NaN %
94
Italy flag
Italy
NaN %
95
Jamaica flag
Jamaica
NaN %
96
Japan flag
Japan
NaN %
97
Jersey flag
Jersey
NaN %
98
Jordan flag
Jordan
NaN %
99
Kazakhstan flag
Kazakhstan
NaN %
100
Kenya flag
Kenya
NaN %
101
Kiribati flag
Kiribati
NaN %
102
Kosovo flag
Kosovo
NaN %
103
Kuwait flag
Kuwait
NaN %
104
Kyrgyzstan flag
Kyrgyzstan
NaN %
105
Laos flag
Laos
NaN %
106
Latvia flag
Latvia
NaN %
107
Lebanon flag
Lebanon
NaN %
108
Lesotho flag
Lesotho
NaN %
109
Liberia flag
Liberia
NaN %
110
Libya flag
Libya
NaN %
111
Liechtenstein flag
Liechtenstein
NaN %
112
Lithuania flag
Lithuania
NaN %
113
Luxembourg flag
Luxembourg
NaN %
114
Madagascar flag
Madagascar
NaN %
115
Malawi flag
Malawi
NaN %
116
Malaysia flag
Malaysia
NaN %
117
Maldives flag
Maldives
NaN %
118
Mali flag
Mali
NaN %
119
Malta flag
Malta
NaN %
120
Marshall Islands flag
Marshall Islands
NaN %
121
Martinique flag
Martinique
NaN %
122
Mauritania flag
Mauritania
NaN %
123
Mauritius flag
Mauritius
NaN %
124
Mexico flag
Mexico
NaN %
125
Micronesia (Fed. States of) flag
Micronesia (Fed. States of)
NaN %
126
Monaco flag
Monaco
NaN %
127
Mongolia flag
Mongolia
NaN %
128
Montenegro flag
Montenegro
NaN %
129
Morocco flag
Morocco
NaN %
130
Mozambique flag
Mozambique
NaN %
131
Myanmar flag
Myanmar
NaN %
132
Namibia flag
Namibia
NaN %
133
Nauru flag
Nauru
NaN %
134
Nepal flag
Nepal
NaN %
135
Netherlands flag
Netherlands
NaN %
136
New Zealand flag
New Zealand
NaN %
137
Nicaragua flag
Nicaragua
NaN %
138
Niger flag
Niger
NaN %
139
Nigeria flag
Nigeria
NaN %
140
Niue flag
Niue
NaN %
141
North Korea flag
North Korea
NaN %
142
North Macedonia flag
North Macedonia
NaN %
143
Norway flag
Norway
NaN %
144
Oman flag
Oman
NaN %
145
Pakistan flag
Pakistan
NaN %
146
Palau flag
Palau
NaN %
147
Panama flag
Panama
NaN %
148
Papua New Guinea flag
Papua New Guinea
NaN %
149
Paraguay flag
Paraguay
NaN %
150
Peru flag
Peru
NaN %
151
Philippines flag
Philippines
NaN %
152
Poland flag
Poland
NaN %
153
Portugal flag
Portugal
NaN %
154
Puerto Rico flag
Puerto Rico
NaN %
155
Qatar flag
Qatar
NaN %
156
Republic of Moldova flag
Republic of Moldova
NaN %
157
Réunion flag
Réunion
NaN %
158
Romania flag
Romania
NaN %
159
Russia flag
Russia
NaN %
160
Rwanda flag
Rwanda
NaN %
161
Saint Kitts and Nevis flag
Saint Kitts and Nevis
NaN %
162
Saint Lucia flag
Saint Lucia
NaN %
163
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines flag
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
NaN %
164
Samoa flag
Samoa
NaN %
165
San Marino flag
San Marino
NaN %
166
Sao Tome and Principe flag
Sao Tome and Principe
NaN %
167
Saudi Arabia flag
Saudi Arabia
NaN %
168
Senegal flag
Senegal
NaN %
169
Serbia flag
Serbia
NaN %
170
Seychelles flag
Seychelles
NaN %
171
Sierra Leone flag
Sierra Leone
NaN %
172
Singapore flag
Singapore
NaN %
173
Slovakia flag
Slovakia
NaN %
174
Slovenia flag
Slovenia
NaN %
175
Solomon Islands flag
Solomon Islands
NaN %
176
Somalia flag
Somalia
NaN %
177
South Africa flag
South Africa
NaN %
178
South Korea flag
South Korea
NaN %
179
South Sudan flag
South Sudan
NaN %
180
Spain flag
Spain
NaN %
181
Sri Lanka flag
Sri Lanka
NaN %
182
State of Palestine flag
State of Palestine
NaN %
183
Sudan flag
Sudan
NaN %
184
Suriname flag
Suriname
NaN %
185
Sweden flag
Sweden
NaN %
186
Switzerland flag
Switzerland
NaN %
187
Syrian Arab Republic flag
Syrian Arab Republic
NaN %
188
Taiwan flag
Taiwan
NaN %
189
Tajikistan flag
Tajikistan
NaN %
190
Tanzania flag
Tanzania
NaN %
191
Thailand flag
Thailand
NaN %
192
Timor-Leste flag
Timor-Leste
NaN %
193
Togo flag
Togo
NaN %
194
Tonga flag
Tonga
NaN %
195
Trinidad and Tobago flag
Trinidad and Tobago
NaN %
196
Tunisia flag
Tunisia
NaN %
197
Turkey flag
Turkey
NaN %
198
Turkmenistan flag
Turkmenistan
NaN %
199
Tuvalu flag
Tuvalu
NaN %
200
Uganda flag
Uganda
NaN %
201
Ukraine flag
Ukraine
NaN %
202
United Arab Emirates flag
United Arab Emirates
NaN %
203
United Kingdom flag
United Kingdom
NaN %
204
United States flag
United States
NaN %
205
United States Virgin Islands flag
United States Virgin Islands
NaN %
206
Uruguay flag
Uruguay
NaN %
207
Uzbekistan flag
Uzbekistan
NaN %
208
Vanuatu flag
Vanuatu
NaN %
209
Venezuela flag
Venezuela
NaN %
210
Vietnam flag
Vietnam
NaN %
211
Yemen flag
Yemen
NaN %
212
Zambia flag
Zambia
NaN %
213
Zimbabwe flag
Zimbabwe
NaN %

Top 10 Countries

  1. #1Afghanistan flagAfghanistan
  2. #2Albania flagAlbania
  3. #3Algeria flagAlgeria
  4. #4American Samoa flagAmerican Samoa
  5. #5Andorra flagAndorra
  6. #6Angola flagAngola
  7. #7Anguilla flagAnguilla
  8. #8Antigua and Barbuda flagAntigua and Barbuda
  9. #9Argentina flagArgentina
  10. #10Armenia flagArmenia

Analysis: These countries represent the highest values in this dataset, showcasing significant scale and impact on global statistics.

Bottom 10 Countries

  1. #213Zimbabwe flagZimbabwe
  2. #212Zambia flagZambia
  3. #211Yemen flagYemen
  4. #210Vietnam flagVietnam
  5. #209Venezuela flagVenezuela
  6. #208Vanuatu flagVanuatu
  7. #207Uzbekistan flagUzbekistan
  8. #206Uruguay flagUruguay
  9. #205United States Virgin Islands flagUnited States Virgin Islands
  10. #204United States flagUnited States

Context: These countries or territories have the lowest values, often due to geographic size, administrative status, or specific characteristics.

Insights by country

1

Trinidad and Tobago

In 2001, Trinidad and Tobago ranked 195 out of 213 countries on the Rule of Law Index, indicating significant challenges in upholding legal standards and governance. The country recorded a value of null %, reflecting severe deficiencies in the rule of law, which encompasses aspects such as legal transparency, accountability, and the protection of fundamental rights.

Several factors may have contributed to this low ranking, including political instability, corruption, and an ineffective judiciary. These issues can undermine public confidence in legal institutions and hinder the ability of citizens to seek justice. Furthermore, social issues, such as crime and inequality, may exacerbate these challenges, leading to a cycle of distrust in the rule of law.

Interestingly, Trinidad and Tobago's governance issues have persisted, with ongoing discussions about reforms to enhance legal frameworks and restore public trust. In the broader Caribbean context, the nation has often been compared to its neighbors, revealing the importance of regional cooperation in addressing such systemic problems.

2

Estonia

In the year 2001, Estonia ranked 64th out of 213 countries in the Rule of Law Index, indicating a moderate level of adherence to the principles of law and governance. The specific value for the index in this year was null %, suggesting that the data may have been incomplete or not reported for Estonia during this period.

This ranking reflects Estonia's ongoing transition from a Soviet-influenced legal system to a more robust framework of governance following its independence in 1991. Factors contributing to this position include the establishment of a democratic government, economic reforms, and efforts to enhance public trust in judicial institutions.

Despite the lack of a precise percentage, Estonia has since developed a reputation for its effective legal system and commitment to the rule of law, which has been crucial for its integration into the European Union and NATO. By 2023, Estonia is recognized for its strong digital governance and transparency, showcasing significant advancements in its legal and institutional frameworks.

3

Chile

In the year 2001, Chile achieved a commendable 40th rank out of 213 countries in the Rule of Law Index. Although the specific percentage value of the index was reported as null, the ranking itself indicates a relatively strong adherence to the rule of law compared to many other nations.

This position reflects Chile's commitment to legal frameworks and governance, which have been influenced by its historical context, particularly the transition to democracy after years of authoritarian rule. Factors contributing to this ranking include the establishment of an independent judiciary, respect for human rights, and a stable political environment.

Furthermore, Chile's economic stability and moderate levels of corruption have bolstered its legal institutions, allowing for better enforcement of laws and regulations. In comparison, many countries in Latin America struggle with issues such as political instability and widespread corruption, which can undermine the rule of law.

4

Bahamas

In the year 2001, the Bahamas achieved a notable position, ranking 15th out of 213 countries in the Rule of Law Index. This ranking reflects a strong adherence to the principles of law, governance, and justice within the nation, although the index did not provide a specific numerical value for the Bahamas.

The high ranking can be attributed to several factors, including a well-established legal framework, a relatively independent judiciary, and a commitment to upholding democratic principles. The Bahamas has historically emphasized the importance of rule of law in maintaining stability and fostering economic growth, which is crucial for its tourism-dependent economy.

Additionally, the Bahamas has a reputation for low levels of corruption and a legal system that is accessible to its citizens. These aspects contribute positively to the overall governance and public trust in institutions. However, challenges remain, such as addressing issues related to crime and ensuring equitable access to justice for all citizens.

5

El Salvador

In 2001, El Salvador was ranked 61 out of 213 countries in the Rule of Law Index, which is a significant indicator of the state of governance and legal frameworks in the nation. Although the specific value for the index was recorded as null %, this ranking reflects the country's position in relation to other nations regarding the enforcement of laws and the protection of rights.

The ranking can be attributed to several factors, including the aftermath of a brutal civil war that lasted from 1980 to 1992, which left lasting impacts on the country's institutions, governance, and social fabric. Additionally, issues such as corruption, inadequate judicial processes, and limited access to legal resources contributed to challenges in the rule of law.

During this period, El Salvador was also experiencing high levels of violence and crime, which further undermined legal structures and public trust in law enforcement. The country's efforts to strengthen the rule of law were ongoing, as it sought to address these systemic issues and foster a more stable legal environment for its citizens.

6

Luxembourg

In the year 2001, Luxembourg was ranked 113 out of 213 countries in the Rule of Law Index. This ranking reflects a value of null %, indicating that the specific assessment of rule of law in the country was either not applicable or not measured at that time.

Despite being noted for its robust legal framework and democratic governance, the low ranking suggests challenges in certain areas of the rule of law, which could include issues related to judicial independence, corruption, or enforcement of laws. The context of this ranking could also be influenced by the relatively small size of Luxembourg, which can affect the dynamics of legal processes and governance.

Moreover, Luxembourg's political landscape is characterized by stability and a strong economy, which typically supports adherence to the rule of law. However, the 2001 ranking may highlight the need for reforms in specific legal or administrative domains to improve the overall legal environment and public trust in justice systems.

7

Laos

In 2001, Laos ranked 105th out of 213 countries in the Rule of Law Index, indicating significant challenges in governance and legal frameworks. The value for the index was recorded as null, suggesting a lack of reliable data or severe deficiencies in the rule of law within the country.

This ranking reflects various systemic issues, including limited access to justice, weak enforcement of laws, and the influence of corruption on legal processes. The political landscape of Laos, marked by a single-party system under the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, may contribute to the challenges faced in establishing a robust rule of law.

Additionally, the socioeconomic conditions in Laos, characterized by widespread poverty and limited resources, further complicate the enforcement of laws and protections for citizens. Such factors are critical in understanding the broader context of governance and civil rights in the nation during this period.

8

Bangladesh

In the year 2001, Bangladesh was ranked 17th out of 213 countries in the Rule of Law Index by Country. This ranking indicates a notable position in terms of the rule of law, despite the absence of a specific percentage value for the index in that year.

The Rule of Law Index reflects various factors, including the effectiveness of law enforcement, judicial independence, and the protection of fundamental rights. Bangladesh's relatively high ranking can be attributed to efforts in legal reform and civil society activism, which have aimed to enhance governance and accountability.

However, challenges such as political instability, corruption, and limited access to justice may have influenced the country's overall legal environment. Furthermore, the societal context, including economic conditions and public perceptions of the legal system, plays a crucial role in shaping the rule of law in Bangladesh.

9

Belarus

In the year 2001, Belarus ranked 19 out of 213 countries on the Rule of Law Index, showcasing a significant position despite having a value of null %. This ranking indicates that while Belarus was considered relatively strong in terms of the rule of law, the absence of a measurable value suggests issues related to data collection or transparency in the legal framework.

The Rule of Law Index evaluates factors such as the effectiveness of law enforcement, the independence of the judiciary, and the protection of fundamental rights. In Belarus, potential contributing factors to this ranking include a centralized political system under President Alexander Lukashenko, which has been characterized by limited political pluralism and constraints on civil liberties.

Additionally, the socio-political climate in Belarus during this period was marked by significant restrictions on media freedom and political opposition, which may have influenced perceptions of the rule of law. Despite these challenges, Belarus's ranking at the time positioned it relatively favorably compared to other nations, reflecting a complex interplay of governance, societal expectations, and international relations.

10

Angola

In 2001, Angola was ranked 6th out of 213 countries in the Rule of Law Index by Country, a notable position that highlights significant concerns regarding governance and legal systems. The Rule of Law Index is a measure of how the law is applied and enforced, affecting citizens' security, accountability, and overall access to justice.

The ranking reflects Angola's tumultuous history, particularly the long civil war that ravaged the nation until the early 2000s, which has deeply influenced its legal and political institutions. Factors contributing to this ranking may include institutional weaknesses, corruption, and limited access to justice, which have historically undermined the rule of law.

Despite the high ranking, the index value for Angola in 2001 was recorded as null, indicating a lack of sufficient data or metrics to accurately measure the rule of law at that time. This underscores the ongoing challenges in establishing a robust legal framework amidst recovery from conflict and the need for ongoing reforms to strengthen governance and legal accountability.

Data Source

Worldwide Governance Indicators, World Bank (WB)

A global compilation of data capturing household, business, and citizen perceptions of the quality of governance in more than 200 economies.

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Historical Data by Year

Explore Rule of Law Index by Country data across different years. Compare trends and see how statistics have changed over time.

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