Name: Rule of law declined in over two thirds of EU countries
Uploaded: 2025-10-28T09:07:44.065Z
Duration: 1 min 30 s
Description: In 2025, Slovakia and Hungary saw the sharpest declines, according to the Rule of law index published by the World Justice Project.

In 2025, Slovakia and Hungary saw the sharpest declines, according to the Rule of law index published by the World Justice Project.

Budapest

The World Justice Project's latest Rule of Law Index indicates that more than two-thirds of European Union member states experienced a decline in the rule of law in 2025. Bulgaria and Hungary recorded the lowest scores among EU nations, while Denmark maintained its position as the top-ranked country globally. Slovakia and Hungary saw the sharpest declines, with Hungary experiencing drops across all measured factors, including government constraints, corruption, and justice systems. In contrast, Ireland and Poland showed the most improvement, with gains across all categories. The report also notes that the decline in rule of law is a global trend, with many countries facing increased political interference in their justice systems.

Rule of law declined in over two thirds of EU countries

The rule of law has decreased in over two-thirds of EU countries in 2025, according to the Rule of Law Index published on Tuesday by the World Justice Project. The rule of law can be defined as a durable system of laws, institutions, norms and community commitment that delivers four universal principles, accountability, just law, open government and accessible and impartial justice. Out of the 27 EU member states, Bulgaria and Hungary were the ones with the lowest rule of law scores. On the opposite end of the spectrum, eight EU countries rank among the top ten globally in the Rule of Law Index, with Denmark retaining the first position worldwide. In 2025, Slovakia and Hungary saw the sharpest decline. All eight of the factors are declining for Hungary, so it really ranges from declines in constraints on government powers, absence of corruption, open government, fundamental rights, civil justice, criminal justice, regulatory enforcement and order and security. The largest increases were observed in Ireland and Poland. The global trend that we're seeing is declines in constraints on government powers, fundamental rights and open government. Ireland and Poland are both showing improvements in all of those factors. The decline in rule of law is being observed worldwide and not just in Europe. Justice systems in the majority of countries around the world have also been facing greater political interference.

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