Ethiopia ranked 133rd out of 143 countries in the 2026 World Justice Project (WJP) Rule of Law Index, according to data released Wednesday. The country recorded an overall score of 0.36, placing it 31st out of 34 nations in Sub-Saharan Africa and 12th out of 15 among low-income countries.
The latest rankings reveal a persistent decline in Ethiopia’s institutional health. The 2026 Index highlights critical weaknesses in fundamental rights, open government, and the enforcement of regulations. The latest findings reinforce concerns about institutional accountability and civic freedoms in Ethiopia with the east African country witnessing weaknesses in constraints on government authority, fundamental rights, open government and the enforcement of regulations.
Global Rule of Law Recession and Authoritarian Trends
Ethiopia’s slide is part of a broader international trend. The WJP reported that the global rule-of-law recession has continued for a ninth consecutive year, with 62 percent of assessed countries and jurisdictions recording declines. Only 38 percent of the countries saw improvements.
While the share of countries experiencing deterioration fell from 68 percent in 2025, the overall trajectory remains negative. The WJP found that authoritarian practices have become more entrenched worldwide, driven largely by government interference, restrictions on civic freedoms, and a weakening of judicial independence.
Ethiopia’s Multi-Year Score Decline
The current ranking is not a one-year fluctuation but the result of a long-term deterioration. Ethiopia’s position has shifted steadily over the last several editions of the index.
| Year | Global Rank (Total Countries) | Overall Score |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 123rd (140) | Not specified |
| 2023 | 129th (142) | 0.38 |
| 2024 | 130th (142) | -2.4 percent fall |
| 2025 | 132nd (143) | 0.36 (-2.4 percent fall) |
| 2026 | 133rd (143) | 0.36 |
The data shows a consistent downward trend. In 2024, the country recorded a 2.4 percent fall in its overall score, followed by another 2.4 percent drop in 2025. This decline occurred against a backdrop of armed conflicts and growing concerns over the effectiveness of public institutions.
Institutional Failures in Government Accountability
The WJP’s findings suggest that Ethiopia’s weaknesses extend far beyond the courtroom. The index specifically tracks whether those in public authority are bound by law and subject to checks, including legislative oversight and the role of an independent press.
Current failures are most evident in the mechanisms used to scrutinize government decisions and hold public institutions accountable. This environment has severely limited the ability of citizens to exercise their fundamental freedoms, according to reporting on the 2026 Index findings.
Analysis: Entrenched authoritarianism: #Ethiopia’s rule of law index slides furtherAddis Abeba – Ethiopia’s rule of law performance has deteriorated further, with the country ranking 133rd out of 143 countries and jurisdictions in the 2026 World Justice Project (#WJP) Rule of… pic.twitter.com/YZFXl5sU2I
The WJP’s constraints-on-government-powers measure specifically evaluates if those exercising public authority are subject to non-governmental checks and judicial limits on executive authority.
The WJP, an independent multidisciplinary organization, utilizes more than 215,000 household surveys and 3,400 expert surveys to measure how the rule of law is experienced worldwide. The organization maintains that a durable system of laws and accountable government is the necessary foundation for combating poverty and protecting people from injustice.
According to the WJP, the rule of law is defined as a system of norms, institutions, and laws that delivers accessible justice, open government, accountability, and just laws. The organization states that effective rule of law is required to combat disease, reduce corruption, and support development.
Published annually since 2009, the Index is used by academia, businesses, media, civil society organizations, and multilateral organizations to address rule-of-law gaps. The 2026 report further examines how the rule of law relates to sovereign credit risk, inflation, GDP growth, and economic prosperity.
>