The 2022 edition of the WJP Rule of Law Index

Every year, the WJP Rule of Law Index takes a detailed look at adherence to rule of law principles around the world. This year’s Index covers 140 countries and jurisdictions and contains data on eight factors that make up the rule of law, including fundamental rights, absence of corruption, and criminal justice.  

Insights from the 2022 WJP Rule of Law Index show that adherence to rule of law fell in 61% of countries this year. Globally, this means that 4.4 billion people live in countries where rule of law has declined over the past year.  

Rule of law impacts our rights, our safety, our well-being, and our access to justice. The WJP Rule of Law Index provides original data annually on people’s experiences with and perceptions of rule of law in 140 countries and jurisdictions around the world, making the Index a valuable resource for policymakers, business leaders, and advocates. 

Below, you can learn more about how government, civil society, and business leaders use the Index in their everyday work.  

 

Ruslanbek Davletov
Ruslanbek Davletov

Ruslanbek Davletov – Minister of Justice, Uzbekistan

“The Rule of Law Index is very important for us because this Index is well-respected around the globe. The findings of the Index are used in other rankings as well, such as by the World Bank or other highly respected institutions."

“The Index impacts people’s decisions to come to Uzbekistan, to invest in Uzbekistan, or to look at Uzbekistan as a site for a venue."

“There is an issue of understanding indexes within the country on the middle level and the low level because they don’t care about indexes."

“What we did was develop our own rule of law index for the nation, with the help of WJP. It’s really making an impact...now locals and agencies are paying attention because we’re publishing this and it’s causing a lot of discussions in the public and the government."

“It’s making a really big impact and I recommend it to other states.” 

 

Abbas
Abbas Inuwa

Abbas Inuwa, Director, TransparencIT
2022 World Justice Challenge Winner – Anti-Corruption and Open Government

"The Rule of Law Index has offered us the true position of the rule of law in Nigeria, and the independent data to counter claims often made by the government in rejecting reports on corruption.

"The Index data has revealed our dire situation and helped us to understand that we cannot wish our way out of injustice; we must be deliberate in creating and sustaining a more just and accountable society." 

 

Sharan Burrow
Sharan Burrow

Sharan Burrow – General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation

“The Rule of Law Index is a really valuable tool. As the ITUC, we also have a global rights index that looks at whether governments and corporations have violated the rule of law for workers. But the World Justice Project’s Index is broader than that, and the scope gives you a sense of where progress is being made, but also where we’re seeing a slump or a denial of access to justice or justice itself. These tools, wherever they come from, and frankly this one, because of the expertise, is really, really important for people trying to understand why there’s such distrust in the world and what we have to do about it to rebuild the rule of law. You’ve got to start with the evidence.”  

 

Steve Crown
Steve Crown

Steve Crown – Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, Microsoft

“You can see year over year whether trust in the courts and in the legal services and the judiciary is growing or declining. It is helpful to see that information flagged in the Index.”

“We look at the Index as one of the ways—it's not the sole source—but we can triangulate from various indices and trends over time to better understand legal and human rights environments and where it makes most sense to invest.” 

“Our mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. Where and how we extend our platforms is a decision we make every day. Indices like the World Justice Project Rule of Law Index are important to informing our business.” 

 

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