What's it like to live in a well-governed country? That what Lindsey Galloway set out to find in an article for BBC Travel, interviewing residents of Denmark, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, Botswana, and Chile—countries that consistently score well in the WJP Rule of Law Index, the World Bank's Worldwide Governance Indicators, and the Social Progress Index. 

"While each index varies in their precise ranking, certain patterns emerge across all three, with the same countries consistently at the top for their progressive social policies, trust in government and effective justice system."

To hear some first-person perspective beyond the numbers, read the BBC article here: "What's it like to live in a well-governed country"

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Global Press Release 2026

WASHINGTON (October 21, 2026) – The global rule of law recession persists, according to the new WJP Rule of Law Index® 2026, released today by the World Justice Project (WJP). While fewer countries declined this year compared to last, the global balance remains deeply uneven. Declines continue to outnumber improvements for the ninth consecutive year (62% vs. 38%).

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We create a press release for every country considered in the WJP Rule of Law Index, available in different languages. To find a specific press release, go to the relevant region and select the country of interest from the drop-down menu.

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