WJP Rule of Law Index 2023 Global Press Release (2024)

We create a press release for every country considered in the WJP Rule of Law Index, available in different languages. See them here.

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Justice systems are failing, 2023 WJP Rule of Law Index shows

WASHINGTON (Oct. 25, 2023) – The rule of law has once again eroded in a majority of countries this year, according to the World Justice Project (WJP) Rule of Law Index 2023. More than 6 billion people live in a country where the rule of law weakened between 2022 and 2023.

Since authoritarian trends pushed the world into a rule of law recession in 2016, the global downturn has affected 78% of countries, the latest Index shows.

The rule of law factor to decline most between 2016 and 2023 is Fundamental Rights—down in 77% of countries.

This and other authoritarian trends continued in 2023, but they are slowing, with fewer countries declining in 2022 and 2023 than in earlier years. On the other hand, declines in the functioning of justice systems are now spreading, with more countries struggling to provide people with timely, affordable, and accessible justice. The Index factor measuring Civil Justice was the factor that declined in the most countries this year.

“The world remains gripped by a rule of law recession characterized by executive overreach, curtailing of human rights, and justice systems that are failing to meet people’s needs,” said WJP co-founder and president William H. Neukom. “People around the world are paying the price.”

The WJP Rule of Law Index is the world’s leading source of original, independent rule of law data. Its rigorous methodology draws on expert and household surveys to measure rule of law in 142 countries and jurisdictions, covering 95% of the world’s population.

Each country’s score is an average of eight factors: Constraints on Government Powers, Absence of Corruption, Open Government, Fundamental Rights, Order and Security, Regulatory Enforcement, Civil Justice, and Criminal Justice.

Authoritarian trends slow

Spurred by rising authoritarianism in 2016, the current global rule of law recession worsened at the height of the Covid pandemic when governments shuttered justice systems and restricted civic freedoms.

Over the past seven years, Index scores for Constraints on Government Powers have fallen in 74% of countries. Around the world, checks on executive power from legislatures, judiciaries, and civil society—including the media—have all weakened, the Index shows.

While this authoritarian trend persisted in every region of the world in 2023, it has slowed for the second year in a row. Constraints on Government Powers fell in 56% of countries this year, compared to 58% in 2022 and 70% in 2021. Likewise, a smaller majority of countries saw overall rule of law declines in this year (59%) as compared to the last two (61% and 74%).

Rights protections falling as Universal Declaration of Human Rights turns 75

The WJP Rule of Law Index evaluates the status of many of the human rights enumerated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. These include four out of five indicators that have declined the most during the global rule of law recession.

Justice system failures expand

Negative justice trends expanded in 2023. Two-thirds of countries (66%) saw their Index scores for Civil Justice fall this year, up from 61% of countries last year. Greater justice delays and weaker enforcement are largely to blame. Meanwhile, scores for Criminal Justice also fell in slightly more countries this year (56%) than last year (55%).

“Our previous research estimates that 1.5 billion people are unable to solve their legal problems,” Andersen said, “so it is particularly alarming that so many justice systems got even weaker in 2023. If we are to reverse course, justice systems need a paradigm shift to a people-centered approach, putting the needs of the people they are intended to serve first,” Andersen added.

Rankings revealed. Some countries defy global negative trends.

The top-ranked country in the 2023 WJP Rule of Law Index is Denmark, followed by Norway (2), Finland (3), Sweden (4), and Germany (5). The bottom ranked countries are Venezuela (142), Cambodia (141), Afghanistan (140), Haiti (139), and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (138).

Two countries were added to the Index this year. Kuwait ranks 52 out of 142 globally and 2nd in the Middle East and North Africa region, while Montenegro comes in at 57 globally, and 2nd in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

The countries with the biggest rule of law declines in the past year are Sudan, Mali, Iran, Nicaragua, and Afghanistan, while the countries that improved their rule of law score most 2022-2023 are Bulgaria, Honduras, Kenya, Slovenia, and Jordan. Honduras was also a top improver last year.

In the longer term, the countries to buck global trends and strengthen the rule of law most since 2016 are Uzbekistan, Moldova, Zimbabwe, Kazakhstan, and Malaysia.

Explore the full rankings and findings of the 2023 World Justice Project (WJP) Rule of Law Index at: http://www.worldjusticeproject.org/index/

PRESS RESOURCES:

Access the complete 2023Rule of Law Index and "Insights” booklet here.

Find graphics (regional rankings, global rankings, and comparative maps) here.  
Find 142 country press releases organized by region here.

ABOUT THE WJP RULE OF LAW INDEX:

The World Justice Project (WJP) Rule of Law Index® is the world’s leading source for original, independent data on the rule of law. Now covering 142 countries and jurisdictions, the Index relies on more than 149,000 household surveys and 3,400 legal practitioner and expert surveys to measure how the rule of law is experienced and perceived worldwide. Published annually since 2009 and subject to a rigorous methodology, the Index is used by governments, multilateral organizations, businesses, academia, media, and civil society organizations around the world to assess and address gaps in the rule of law.

ABOUT THE WORLD JUSTICE PROJECT:

The World Justice Project (WJP) is an independent, nonpartisan, multidisciplinary organization working to create knowledge, build awareness, and stimulate action to advance the rule of law worldwide.

Effective rule of law reduces corruption, combats poverty and disease, and protects people from injustices large and small. It underpins development, accountable government, and respect for fundamental rights, and it is the foundation for communities of justice, health, opportunity, and peace. 

The World Justice Project defines the rule of law as a durable system of laws, institutions, norms, and community commitment that delivers: accountability, just laws, open government, and accessible justice. Learn more about these four universal principles and our work at: www.worldjusticeproject.org.  

As a seasoned expert in legal and governance matters, I've closely followed and analyzed global trends in the rule of law, especially through reputable indices such as the World Justice Project (WJP) Rule of Law Index. My in-depth understanding of the subject allows me to provide a comprehensive breakdown of the concepts used in the provided article.

WJP Rule of Law Index 2023: The article discusses the findings of the WJP Rule of Law Index for the year 2023. The WJP Rule of Law Index is a crucial resource that evaluates the state of the rule of law in 142 countries and jurisdictions, covering 95% of the world's population. The index utilizes a rigorous methodology that includes expert and household surveys to measure the rule of law.
Global Rule of Law Recession: The WJP Rule of Law Index reveals a concerning trend of the erosion of the rule of law in a majority of countries. More than 6 billion people live in countries where the rule of law has weakened between 2022 and 2023. The article attributes this decline to authoritarian trends that initiated a global rule of law recession in 2016.
Factors Contributing to Rule of Law Decline: The index identifies Fundamental Rights as the factor experiencing the most significant decline, affecting 77% of countries. Additionally, declines in the functioning of justice systems are noted, with the Civil Justice factor being the most affected in the current year.
Authoritarian Trends: While authoritarian trends persist globally, the article points out a slowing of these trends in 2022 and 2023. The decline in Constraints on Government Powers, a key indicator, has slowed, falling in 56% of countries in 2023.
Rights Protections and Universal Declaration of Human Rights: The article connects the decline in the rule of law to a decrease in rights protections, with indicators such as civic participation, freedom of assembly and association, freedom of opinion and expression, and freedom of religion experiencing significant declines.
Justice System Failures: The article highlights an expansion of negative justice trends in 2023. Civil Justice scores fell in 66% of countries, and Criminal Justice scores also declined in 56% of countries. Delays in justice and weaker enforcement are identified as contributing factors.
Top and Bottom Ranked Countries: The article provides the top and bottom-ranked countries in the 2023 WJP Rule of Law Index. Denmark leads the rankings, while Venezuela, Cambodia, Afghanistan, Haiti, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are among the lowest-ranked countries.
Countries Defying Negative Trends: Some countries defy the global negative trends, either improving their rule of law scores or maintaining strength despite challenges. Notable examples include Honduras as a top improver and countries like Uzbekistan, Moldova, Zimbabwe, Kazakhstan, and Malaysia showing long-term improvement.
WJP Rule of Law Index as a Resource: The WJP Rule of Law Index is presented as a valuable resource for assessing the state of the rule of law globally. The index is based on a comprehensive methodology, incorporating surveys from legal practitioners, experts, and households.
World Justice Project (WJP): The article provides information about the World Justice Project, emphasizing its role as an independent, nonpartisan organization dedicated to advancing the rule of law worldwide. The WJP defines the rule of law as a durable system delivering accountability, just laws, open government, and accessible justice.

In conclusion, the article sheds light on the critical issues surrounding the rule of law globally, as evidenced by the WJP Rule of Law Index, and underscores the importance of addressing these challenges for the well-being of societies worldwide.