Global Rule of Law Index 2024

India ranks 79th out of 142 countries in the Rule of Law Index 2024, reflecting both progress and persistent challenges in governance and justice. The ranking is part of a global trend of decline, with 59% of countries seeing a deterioration in the rule of law this year.

Global Context & Performance

• India’s Global Rank: 79 out of 142

• Part of global decline: Rule of law weakened in 59% of countries

• G7 Highlights:

  • Germany: 5th

  • Canada: 8th

  • Japan: 14th

  • United Kingdom: 15th

South Asia Rankings (2024)

India ranks 3rd in South Asia, behind:

Areas of Strength for India

• Open Government: Ranked 44/142 – Strong public access to government information and transparency.

• Constraints on Government Powers: Ranked 60/142 – Some checks and balances are in place.

• These rankings show positive steps in governance reforms.

Areas That Need Improvement

India still lags in several key indicators:

These rankings point to challenges in protecting rights, delivering justice, and ensuring public safety.

Impact on Business and Investment

India struggles with regulatory and justice issues that impact business:

• Regulatory Enforcement: Ranked 78/142

• Contract Enforcement and Civil Justice: Among the lowest globally

For comparison, Singapore ranks 3rd globally in both corruption absence and regulatory enforcement, showing how far India has to go in improving its business environment.

Top 10 Countries in Rule of Law (2024)

Final Thoughts

India’s performance in the Rule of Law Index 2024 reflects a blend of progress and persistent challenges. While areas like open government and constraints on power show encouraging signs, fundamental rights, civil justice, and corruption control require urgent attention.

Ranking 79th globally and 3rd in South Asia, India stands at a critical juncture for reform. Strengthening the rule of law is essential not just for democracy, but also for a robust business and investment climate. Closing the gap with global leaders like Germany and Singapore will require consistent improvements in governance, legal reforms, and stronger institutional accountability.