Rule of Law Index in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe: Rule of Law Index was 2.75 in 2025. ▼ Falling
Rule of Law Index in Zimbabwe, 2005–2025
Source: Bertelsmann Transformation Index (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2025, rule of law index in Zimbabwe stood at 2.75. That is the lowest value across all 11 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 15.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, rule of law index in Zimbabwe peaked at 3.5 in 2013 and was at its lowest, 2.75, in 2007.
Zimbabwe ranks 89th of 128 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 11 years of available data.
Rule of Law Index in Zimbabwe, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 3.25 | — |
| 2007 | 2.75 | -15.4% |
| 2009 | 2.75 | +0.0% |
| 2011 | 3 | +9.1% |
| 2013 | 3.5 | +16.7% |
| 2015 | 3.25 | -7.1% |
| 2017 | 2.75 | -15.4% |
| 2019 | 3.25 | +18.2% |
| 2021 | 3 | -7.7% |
| 2023 | 2.75 | -8.3% |
| 2025 | 2.75 | +0.0% |
Zimbabwe compared with similar countries
- Zimbabwe's 2.75 is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 3.5, 79% of the median. (38 countries reporting)
- Zimbabwe's 2.75 is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 3.5, 79% of the median. (39 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 2.92 | 2.75 | 3.25 | 3 |
| 2010s | 3.15 | 2.75 | 3.5 | 5 |
| 2020s | 2.83 | 2.75 | 3 | 3 |
Countries ranked near Zimbabwe
More reference data data for Zimbabwe
- Exchange rate, new LCU per USD extended backward, period average 58,959 (2026)
- Exchange rate, old LCU per USD extended forward, period average 58,959 (2026)
- Official exchange rate, LCU per USD, period average 58,959 (2026)
- Political opposition, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Elected parliament and government, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Global number of reported disasters by size, gaps filled 0 events (2024)
- Annual precipitation, annual growth rate 122.78 % change on previous year (2025)
- Free country, gaps filled 0 (2025)
- Civil liberties rating, gaps filled 5 (2025)
- Civil liberties rating, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is rule of law index in Zimbabwe?
- Rule of law index in Zimbabwe was 2.75 in 2025, according to Bertelsmann Transformation Index (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest rule of law index recorded in Zimbabwe?
- The highest recorded value was 3.5 in 2013.
- What is the lowest rule of law index recorded in Zimbabwe?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.75 in 2007.
- How does Zimbabwe rank for rule of law index?
- Zimbabwe ranks 89th out of 128 countries with data for 2025.
- Is rule of law index rising or falling in Zimbabwe?
- Over the last ten years it is down 15.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Zimbabwe data come from?
- The figures come from Bertelsmann Transformation Index (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Rule of Law Index. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 11 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Indicates the extent to which political power is separated, the judiciary is independent, office abuse is prosecuted, and civil rights are enforced.