Serbia Scores Lowest Rule of Law Index among Western Balkan Countries

Protest in Belgrade on March 15 (BETAPHOTO/MILAN OBRADOVIC)

Serbia ranked 96th across 143 countries and jurisdictions around the world by the Rule of Law Index 2025, developed by World Justice Project (WJP), a Washington-based independent civil society organization, and published on Oct. 28. Last year, Serbia’s overall score earned it 94th place in the rankings of 142 countries and jurisdictions. 

The Rule of Law Index is measured based on eight key indicators. By factor scores, Serbia ranked 130th in constraints on government powers, 101st in absence of corruption, 97th in open government, and 71st in fundamental rights.

Serbia’s score was 59th in order and security, 106th in regulatory enforcement, 95th in civil justice, and 96th by criminal justice. Serbia scored the lowest Rule of Law Index among the Western Balkan countries, placing 11th out of 15 countries in the region of Eastern Europe and Central Asia. 

By overall index score this year, Montenegro ranked 55th, Kosovo 59th, Bosnia and Herzegovina 70th, North Macedonia 64th, and Albania 87th. Denmark tops the rankings, followed by Norway, Finland, and Sweden, while Venezuela is at the bottom. 
 
According to the World Justice Project, the rule of law recession is accelerating, with 68 percent of countries declining in 2025, compared to 57 percent the year before.