In a striking revelation, the World Justice Project reported on October 28, 2025, that the rule of law has deteriorated in more than two-thirds of EU member nations this year. This index, which assesses the effectiveness of legal systems, highlights significant challenges in governance across the region.
Understanding the rule of law
The concept of the rule of law encompasses a robust framework of laws, institutions, and societal norms that collectively uphold four essential principles: accountability, just law, open government, and the provision of accessible and impartial justice. The recent findings by the World Justice Project shed light on how these principles are being compromised in many EU countries.
Key findings of the index
Among the 27 EU member states, Bulgaria and Hungary emerged as the lowest scorers on the index, indicating significant challenges in their legal and governance systems. Conversely, eight EU nations, including Germany, Sweden, and Estonia, ranked in the top ten globally for the rule of law, with Denmark maintaining its status as the top performer worldwide. Notably, Slovakia and Hungary experienced the most pronounced declines in their scores.
“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,”
Alicia Evangelides, Director of the Rule of Law Index, explained. This comprehensive decline underscores systemic issues that threaten the integrity of governance in Hungary.
On a brighter note, Ireland and Poland reported the most significant improvements in their rankings. Evangelides noted,
“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.”
This suggests a positive shift in how these nations are addressing governance and the rule of law.
As the situation unfolds, the continued decline in the rule of law across the EU raises critical questions about the future of governance and legal integrity in the region, prompting discussions among policymakers and citizens alike.