In the latest World Justice Project (WJP) Rule of Law Index 2025, a sweeping global assessment of how countries uphold justice, accountability, and public freedoms, the world sees a sharp contrast between top-performing nations and those struggling to maintain legal frameworks.
Who Leads the World?
At the very top of the list stands Denmark, scoring an impressive 0.90 — making it the strongest nation in terms of rule of law. Close behind are:
Norway (0.89)
Finland (0.87)
Sweden (0.85)
New Zealand (0.83)
These countries are celebrated for transparent governance, independent courts, low corruption, and strong civil rights.
Where Does India Stand?
India ranks 86th globally with a score of 0.49 — placing it in the mid-lower tier of the global list. It sits alongside countries like Tunisia, Albania, and Algeria.
While India is ahead of countries like:
China (91st)
Pakistan (130th)
Bangladesh (125th)
It still trails significantly behind developing and developed nations such as:
United States (27th)
Singapore (16th)
United Arab Emirates (37th)
What the Ranking Reflects
The WJP index evaluates:
●Government accountability
●Corruption levels
●Judicial independence
●Fundamental rights
●Law enforcement
●Civil justice
India’s middle-tier ranking signals progress in democratic institutions, but also highlights challenges in:
●Slow legal processes
●Police and judicial backlog
●Corruption concerns
●Protection of civil liberties
The Lowest Scorers
At the bottom of the index are conflict-hit and politically unstable regions:
Venezuela (0.26) — last globally
Afghanistan (0.31)
Cambodia (0.31)
Haiti (0.32)
These rankings reflect deep governance breakdowns, weak justice systems, and instability.
Why This Matters
A stronger rule of law means:
●More investor confidence
●Better protection of citizens’ rights
●Faster justice
●Lower corruption
●Stronger democracy
For a rapidly growing economy like India, improving legal enforcement and judicial efficiency will be key to unlocking its global ambitions.
The Road Ahead
With major digital governance reforms, anti-corruption drives, and judicial modernization underway, India has the potential to climb the rankings in the coming years. The index serves as a wake-up call — and a roadmap for change.
