The 2024 Rule of Law Index, released by the World Justice Project (WJP) on October 23, continues to highlight a troubling trend: a majority of countries (57%) are experiencing an erosion of the rule of law, marking the seventh consecutive year of declines.
Yet, amidst this global regression, some regions show signs of recovery, offering glimpses of progress in areas like anti-corruption and criminal justice. The report, covering 142 countries and 95% of the world’s population, relies on data from surveys of legal professionals and public opinion to assess governance across critical factors, including government accountability, corruption, civil and criminal justice, and human rights.
Key Data on the Rule of Law Decline
From 2023 to 2024, 57% of countries in the index saw a further decline in their rule of law scores. The steepest declines were associated with authoritarianism-related metrics: 59% of countries showed weaker constraints on government power, and 63% saw worsening scores on fundamental rights. The suppression of freedoms related to expression, assembly, and privacy, alongside rising discrimination, were frequent factors in these declines. The data indicate that this downturn in governance and legal accountability has slowed, with fewer countries experiencing steep declines.
However, this slight improvement is modest and varies widely across regions.
Improvements in Anti-Corruption and Criminal Justice
On a positive note, the Index reveals notable, if modest, improvements in anti-corruption and criminal justice systems worldwide. Anti-corruption scores increased in 59% of countries, marking the first significant improvement in this area in five years. Despite these gains, the average increase was a modest 1.4%, and progress remains fragile as many countries struggle with deeply entrenched corruption. Criminal justice systems also showed positive movement, with 54% of countries improving their scores. This reflects enhanced public access to justice and affordability.
Yet, areas such as case backlogs, enforcement issues, and procedural delays persist, limiting the overall efficiency and effectiveness of civil justice systems in many regions.
Top Performers in Rule of Law Index 2024
The top-ranked country in the 2024 WJP Rule of Law Index is Denmark, followed by Norway (2), Finland (3), Sweden (4), and Germany (5). The top five ranked countries remain unchanged from 2023. The bottom ranked countries are Venezuela (142), Cambodia (141), Afghanistan (140), Haiti (139), and Myanmar (138).
The countries with the biggest rule of law declines in the past year are Myanmar, El Salvador, and Nicaragua, while the countries that improved their rule of law score most from 2023 to 2024 are Poland, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka.
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.
U.S. Elections: Testing Rule of Law in the World’s Leading Democracy
In the United States, rule of law challenges are particularly pronounced. Since 2016, the U.S. rule of law score has dropped by 5.7%, with consistent declines across almost all key Index factors. A 17.6% drop in Constraints on Government Powers underscores growing concerns over the checks and balances meant to limit executive authority. Furthermore, the U.S. ranking on Lawful Transition of Power has steadily declined, now ranking 43rd globally. In the lead-up to the 2024 elections, the WJP surveyed Americans, revealing deep-seated concerns over the electoral process. Notably, 46% of Republicans and 27% of Democrats said they would only recognize the election outcome if their candidate won. This distrust of election results, along with fears of fraud among Republicans and voting rights violations among Democrats, underscores a polarized electorate.
Moreover, trust in the courts’ role in elections reveals a sharp partisan divide. Democrats report greater confidence in lower courts, while 67% of Republicans trust the Supreme Court to resolve election disputes, compared to only 47% of Democrats. The WJP’s findings indicate that such divides could intensify civil unrest following the election, with 14% of Republicans and 11% of Democrats indicating they would “take action” if their preferred candidate does not win.
Global Election Trends: A Mixed Record of Rule of Law Advancement
With a high number of elections held in 2024, democratic transitions remain a key mechanism for strengthening the rule of law. In countries like Poland and Brazil, reform-minded leaders have leveraged elections to enact legal reforms. However, recent trends show that many incumbents maintain power through questionable means, with 72% of countries showing an average 11.6% decline in the Lawful Transition of Power metric. Among the 15 countries with below-average scores in this area, 13 saw incumbent parties retain control, underscoring a global challenge in the electoral process.
Balancing Fragile Gains with Persistent Challenges
The 2024 Rule of Law Index reflects a complex picture of global governance. While some countries show slight improvements, the broader trend remains one of deterioration, especially in areas linked to authoritarianism and diminished civil rights. The report emphasizes that democratic structures, accountability, and transparency remain under threat in many countries. The United States faces a critical juncture as upcoming elections test its rule of law principles, with a divided electorate highlighting challenges to political stability. For policymakers and citizens worldwide, the Index serves as a stark reminder that the rule of law, while resilient, requires constant reinforcement to safeguard fundamental rights and justice.
