India ranked 86th in the WJP Rule of Law Index 2025

In the WJP Rule of Law Index 2025, India fell six places to 86th position, while Denmark ranked first, followed by Norway in second place.

According to the WJP Rule of Law Index 2025, there has been a global decline in the rule of law, and the progress made in recent years is rapidly reversing.

India has fallen six places to 86th position, with an overall score of 0.49, representing a -1.7 percent decline in 2025.

Top and bottom countries

Denmark ranks first, followed by Norway in second place, and Finland and Sweden are among the top four.

In contrast, Venezuela remains at 143rd and Afghanistan at 142nd position, while Russia ranks 119th and Sudan 137th.

Top declining countries:

The most significant declining countries include the Russian Federation (-4.9%), Sudan (-4.4%), and Mozambique (-3.9%).

Top improving countries:

These include the Dominican Republic (2.1%), Senegal (1.6%), and Sierra Leone (1.4%).

The United States, with a score of 0.68, slipped one place to 27th amid a 2.8 percent decline.

China, with an overall score of 0.48, ranks 92nd globally, climbing four spots with a 0.8 percent increase.

Pakistan remains unchanged at 130th position with an overall score of 0.37, showing a -2.3 percent decline.

The report further states that in 2025, 68 percent of countries will see a decline in the rule of law, up from 57 percent the previous year. This decline is due to a rise in authoritarian tendencies and a significant reduction in checks on government powers.

Published annually since 2009, this index is used by governments, multilateral organizations, businesses, academia, media, and civil society organizations.

The index is based on original, independent data derived from surveys of more than 149,000 people and 3,400 legal experts across 143 countries and jurisdictions.

Top 10 countries with the strongest rule of law in 2025

1 Denmark 0.90

2 Norway 0.89

3 Finland 0.87

4 Sweden 0.85

5 New Zealand 0.83

6 Germany 0.83

7 Luxembourg 0.83

8 Ireland 0.82

9 Netherlands 0.82

10 Estonia 0.82

WJP Rule of Law Index 2025

The World Justice Project (WJP) released the WJP Rule of Law Index. Its 2025 edition was released on October 28, 2025. It is the world’s leading source of independent data on the rule of law, based on surveys conducted in 143 countries and jurisdictions.

The World Justice Project (WJP) was founded in 2006 by William H. Neukom to promote the rule of law globally.

Its history includes the 2008 World Justice Forum in Vienna, the annual publication of the WJP Rule of Law Index starting in 2009, and the organization’s expansion to cover more than 140 countries.