• 2026 WJP Rule of Law Index® finds authoritarian practices have become entrenched
Zimbabwe’s score increased, ranks 25 out of 34 regionally
WASHINGTON – 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—with a 62% decline continuing to outnumber improvements.
However, Zimbabwe is among the minority of countries to see its Rule of Law Index score increase this year.
Zimbabwe’s overall rule of law score increased by less than 1% in this year’s Index. It ranks 122nd out of 143 countries worldwide.
Regionally, Zimbabwe ranks 25th out of 34 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.* The region’s top performer is Rwanda (ranked 40th out of 143 globally), followed by Namibia and Mauritius. The three countries with the lowest scores in the region are Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Sudan (138th globally).
In the last year, 23 out of 34 countries declined in Sub-Saharan Africa. Of those 23 countries, 20 had also declined in the previous year.
Among lower-middle income countries, Zimbabwe ranks 21st out of 33.
Zimbabwe and Global trends
Authoritarianism is no longer an emerging trend—it has become entrenched: over 86% of countries have suffered a sustained five-year decline in at least one safeguard against authoritarian rule: constraints on government powers, open government, or fundamental rights. This includes Zimbabwe.
Freedoms essential to civic space, public debate and government oversight are shrinking across most countries:
“Freedom of opinion and expression” declined in 64% of countries, but not in Zimbabwe.
“Freedom of assembly and association” declined in 67% of countries, including Zimbabwe.
“Civic participation” declined in 65% of countries, but not in Zimbabwe.
Across criminal and civil systems alike, undue executive pressure and interference have become the leading drivers of institutional decay. Civil justice weakened in 64% of countries and criminal justice in 58%, with improper government influence emerging as a central factor in both areas. Judiciaries are also losing ground to executive overreach more broadly: government powers limited by the judiciary fell in 63% of countries. This includes Zimbabwe.
However, civil justice is becoming more accessible, affordable, and equal:
“Access and afford civil justice improved in 54%” of countries, but not in Zimbabwe.
“Civil justice is free of discrimination” improved in 52% of countries, but not in Zimbabwe.
Index data shows that economic prosperity, price stability, and low credit risk cluster in countries with robust rule of law:
GDP per capita: Countries with a GDP per capita above the world’s average ($14,406) score 0.68 or higher in the WJP Rule of Law Index.
Inflation: Countries with inflation rates lower than the median (3.23%) have an Index score of 0.60 or above.
Sovereign credit ratings: Countries with an investment-grade sovereign credit rating (AAA to BBB) maintain Index scores of 0.66 or higher.
In 2026, Zimbabwe’s overall score is 0.40.
Global rankings
Globally, the top-ranked country in the 2026 WJP Rule of Law Index is Denmark, followed by Norway, Finland, Sweden, and Luxembourg. The country with the lowest score is Venezuela, followed by Afghanistan, Haiti, Cambodia, and Nicaragua.
Zimbabwe’s WJP Rule of Law Index rankings
Overall score global rank: 122/143 | Overall score regional rank: 25/34
FACTOR
GLOBAL RANK
REGIONAL RANK*
INCOME RANK**
Constraints on Government Powers
129/143
30/34
27/33
Absence of Corruption
121/143
23/34
20/33
Open Government
127/143
27/34
24/33
Fundamental Rights
129/143
31/34
27/33
Order and Security
90/143
10/34
11/33
Regulatory Enforcement
132/143
29/34
26/33
Civil Justice
91/143
13/34
9/33
Criminal Justice
100/143
18/34
15/33
(1 is best in WJP Rule of Law Index rankings)
Important Links:
• To see Zimbabwe’s performance across all 44 sub-factors the Index measures, visit: www.worldjusticeproject.org/rule-of-law-index/country/2026/Zimbabwe
• Explore the full rankings and findings of the 2026 World Justice Project (WJP) Rule of Law Index at: www.worldjusticeproject.org/index/
Comments
About Author
