The State of the Rule of Law: A Global Concern
Introduction
The rule of law is a fundamental concept that affects us all, regardless of who we are or where we live. It is the foundation of just, prosperous, and peaceful societies, supporting development, government accountability, and respect for fundamental rights. Research has shown that a strong rule of law is associated with higher economic productivity, more peace, better education, and improved health.
The Rule of Law Index 2025
The World Justice Project (WJP) has published the Rule of Law Index 2025, which paints a alarming picture: the foundations of the rule of law are increasingly being eroded worldwide. According to the report, 68% of jurisdictions have seen a decline in their overall score between 2024 and 2025, confirming an accelerating global recession.
Tunisia's Ranking
Tunisia ranks 85th out of 143 countries, with an overall score of 0.49, a 2.7% decline from the previous year. This decline places Tunisia among the countries with one of the largest drops in the rule of law globally.
The WJP's Evaluation Methodology
The WJP, based on the testimony of over 215,000 citizens and 4,100 legal experts, evaluates countries according to four universal principles:
- Accountability
- Just laws
- Government transparency
- Access to impartial justice These principles are measured across eight dimensions, including:
- Corruption
- Fundamental rights
- Civil and criminal justice
- Constraints on executive power
Key Findings
The 2025 results highlight a rise in authoritarianism, a weakening of checks and balances, and a shrinking of civic space. More than 70% of countries have restricted fundamental freedoms, including:
- Freedom of expression (declined in 73% of states)
- Freedom of association (72%)
- Civic participation (71%)
Regional Focus
In the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region, the average score is 0.50. The United Arab Emirates tops the regional ranking with 0.64, followed by Qatar (0.62) and Kuwait (0.58). Tunisia (0.49), tied with Algeria, slightly outperforms Morocco (0.48) but records one of the most significant declines in the region.
In Africa, several countries perform better:
- Rwanda (0.63)
- Namibia (0.61)
- Mauritius (0.60)
- Botswana (0.60)
- Senegal and South Africa (0.56) With a score identical to that of The Gambia (0.49), Tunisia is in an intermediate position on the continent.
Conclusion
The WJP observes that the average rate of decline (-1.07%) is more than double that of countries showing improvement (+0.52%). This dynamic reflects a weakening of democratic institutions and judicial independence, considered the last line of defense against executive power abuses. The report calls on governments and international institutions to "use these data to inform decisions, inspire reforms, and strengthen justice for all."
