Rwanda has once again emerged as the top-ranked country in Africa and 39th globally in in rule of law. This is according to the Global Rule of Law Index 2025, published by the World Justice Project (WJP). ALSO READ: Rwanda continues to lead Africa in rule of law - global report According to the report, Rwanda scored 0.63 overall, ranking first out of 34 African countries assessed, and 39th among 143 nations globally. The country also ranked first in its income category out of 16 economies. Rwanda has ranked first in Africa in the rule of law since 2021. The index measures how the rule of law is experienced and perceived worldwide, based on eight key dimensions: constraints on government powers, absence of corruption, open government, fundamental rights, order and security, regulatory enforcement, civil justice, and criminal justice. ALSO READ: Key changes that shaped Rwanda’s justice sector in 2024 Rwanda performed strongly across several of these categories, scoring 0.61 in Constraints on Government Powers, 0.69 in Absence of Corruption, 0.56 in Open Government, 0.53 in Fundamental Rights, 0.85 in Order and Security, 0.63 in Regulatory Enforcement, 0.65 in Civil Justice, and 0.56 in Criminal Justice. Namibia ranked second in Africa and 45th globally. Mauritius emerged third in Africa and 47th globally, followed by Botswana, which ranked 50th globally. Denmark, Norway and Finland topped the global list, while Cambodia, Afghanistan and Venezuela came last. The World Justice Project described the annual index as the world's most comprehensive and independent data source on adherence to the rule of law. The 2025 edition draws insights from over 215,000 people and 4,100 legal experts across 143 countries and jurisdictions. The 2025 index reveals an acceleration in the global decline of the rule of law. The share of countries experiencing deterioration increased from 57 percent in 2024 to 68 percent in 2025. While countries that improved saw an average score gain of 0.52 percent, those that declined registered an average drop of -1.07 percent, meaning losses are occurring twice as fast as gains. WJP noted that this year’s findings are “sobering,” highlighting that the rule of law had been on decline for the eighth consecutive year. The report cites weakening checks on government power, reduced judicial independence, and shrinking civic space as key contributors to this global downturn. “Core safeguards against executive overreach weakened, including measures of checks on government power and judicial independence,” the report states. “Civic space deteriorated in over 70 percent of countries, curtailing freedoms of expression and participation.” Despite the general decline, the organisation said some nations registered notable progress. The biggest rule of law improvers included the Dominican Republic, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Bangladesh, and Gabon. Serbia, Türkiye, Hungary, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Haiti experienced the sharpest declines. According to WJP, the rule of law is essential to every aspect of national development. Countries with stronger rule of law tend to enjoy greater economic productivity, higher levels of peace and education, and better health outcomes. “No matter who we are or where we live, the rule of law affects us all,” the authors of the report argue. “It is the foundation for communities of justice, opportunity, and peace, underpinning development, accountable government, and respect for fundamental rights.”
