RULE OF LAW

The law should theoretically apply equally to all, rulers and ruled alike. World Justice Projects annual Rule of Law Index ranks 113 nations adherence to
eight dimensions of the rule of law, measuring factors such as levels of corruption and regulatory enforcement of government powers and fundamental
rights. All countries are given an overall score on a scale of zero to one. The research, published last October, surveyed the general public, and national
practitioners and academics, with expertise in civil and commercial law, criminal justice, labour law and public health.

RULE OF LAW
DENMARK AFGHANISTAN UNITED ARAB EMIRATES INDEX SCORE
Nordics generally enjoy the best and Ranked below average on UAE, ranked 33rd in the global survey,
fairest rule of law. Denmark topped the almost all measures of rule has the best and fairest rule of law
list, particularly in terms of an absence of law, Afghanistans justice across the Middle East and North Africa. 0.2-0.3
of corruption. However, there were system has suffered greatly The federation enjoys some of the
causes for concern last year after more from a three-decade-long civil lowest violent crime rates in the world,
than a dozen members of parliament war, with customary, informal affording it above-average scores for 0.31-0.4
withheld information about their asset systems overriding a national criminal justice, and order and security.
declarations and expenses irregularities legislative framework.
were discovered at the police works 0.41-0.5
council.
VENEZUELA
0.51-0.6
Venezuelas rule of law is ranked as the
weakest across the 113 nations in the
survey. With judges often fearing prison 0.61-0.7
for unpopular decisions and the majority
of human rights complaints not making
it to trial, the deficiencies of the judicial 0.71-0.8
system have resulted in a climate of
insecurity and impunity, which many
claim threatens democracy and violates 0.81-0.9
basic human rights.

CHINA
The Communist Party has openly declared its drive to
UK improve the rule of law, though critics say a large gap
still exists between ideals and reality. China may have
The UK ranked tenth in ranked highly in terms of order and security, but well below
the Rules of Law Index, average on the other seven factors, with a particularly
but its weakest score low score for fundamental rights. The alleged ongoing
was for civil justice, detention and torture of lawyers and government critics
which assesses whether only substantiate that score.
civil justice systems are
accessible and affordable,
free of discrimination and
corruption. However, the UK
ranked above average for
constraints on government NEW ZEALAND
powers, which measures SINGAPORE Eighth in the global
the extent to which those rankings, New Zealands
who govern are bound by Singapore, the only Asian nation in the
overall score was shored
law. top ten overall, ranked first globally in
up by an absence of
terms of order and security, buffeted
corruption and limits on
by relatively low levels of crime and civil
government powers by
conflict.
the legislature, judiciary
and independent
auditing.

RULE OF LAW INDEX SCORE AND FACTORS

RULE OF LAW INDEX SCORE RULE OF LAW INDEX FACTORS FOR SELECTED COUNTRIES Top tercile Middle tercile Bottom tercile

TOP 10 BOTTOM 10
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1 Denmark 0.89 113 Venezuela 0.28

Rule of Law Index score (0-1) 0.89 0.86 0.83 0.81 0.78 0.74 0.7 0.66 0.61 0.59 0.57 0.54 0.52 0.51 0.51 0.49 0.48 0.48 0.47 0.45 0.44 0.39 0.38 0.37 0.28
2 Norway 0.88 112 Cambodia 0.33
Open Fundamental Constraints on
3 Finland 0.87 111 Afghanistan 0.35
government rights government powers
Absence of corruption
4 Sweden 0.86 110 Egypt 0.37

Open government
5 Netherlands 0.86 109 Cameroon 0.37

Order Regulatory Fundamental rights

6 Germany 0.83 108 Zimbabwe 0.37
and security enforcement
Order and security
7 Austria 0.83 107 Ethiopia 0.38
Regulatory enforcement
8 New Zealand 0.83 106 Pakistan 0.38
Civil justice
9 Singapore 0.82 105 Uganda 0.39 Criminal
Civil justice
justice Criminal justice
10 UK 0.81 104 Bolivia 0.4

Data provided by World Justice Project, words by Raconteur