Hungary ranks among Europe’s worst for rule of law in new global index

Hungary has fallen further in the 2026 World Justice Project Rule of Law Index, ranking 78th out of 143 countries worldwide and last among 31 countries in the EU, EFTA and North America. Its score declined slightly, with the report highlighting setbacks in fundamental freedoms and safeguards against authoritarian rule.

Hungary recorded an overall score of 0.50 in the 2026 WJP Rule of Law Index, published by the World Justice Project (WJP) on 21 October. Its score fell by less than 1% compared with the previous year.

The country ranked 31st out of 31 in its regional group, which covers the European Union, the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and North America. Hungary also placed 49th out of 51 high-income countries.

The report’s findings come amid a broader global decline in the rule of law, with 62% of countries recording a deterioration in their scores.

Hungary scores poorly on government accountability and civil justice

Hungary’s weakest results came in several areas related to institutional checks, transparency and the functioning of the justice system.

The country ranked 121st globally for constraints on government powers, placing last in its regional group. It also ranked 86th for open government and 78th for fundamental rights.

Civil justice was another area of concern. Hungary came 100th out of 143 countries globally, placing last regionally and among the 51 high-income countries included in the index. The country also ranked last regionally for regulatory enforcement, at 106th worldwide.

Hungary’s other results were mixed. It ranked 66th globally for the absence of corruption and 77th for criminal justice, while its strongest performance came in order and security, where it placed 23rd worldwide and 15th in its regional group.

The index measures the rule of law through eight factors, including government accountability, fundamental rights, regulatory enforcement and the operation of civil and criminal justice systems.

Never miss a headline: join Daily News Hungary’s official Telegram channel!

Freedom of expression and civic participation under pressure

The report identifies a continuing global decline in safeguards against authoritarian rule. More than 86% of countries have experienced a sustained five-year deterioration in at least one of three areas: constraints on government powers, open government or fundamental rights. Hungary is among them.

Freedoms that support public debate, civic engagement and government oversight have also come under pressure.

According to the WJP, freedom of opinion and expression declined in 64% of countries, including Hungary. Freedom of assembly and association deteriorated in 67% of countries, while civic participation weakened in 65%.

The report also points to problems in justice systems worldwide, identifying undue executive pressure and interference as leading drivers of institutional decline.

Civil justice weakened in 64% of countries and criminal justice in 58%. Meanwhile, the ability of judiciaries to limit government powers declined in 63% of countries, although Hungary was not included in that particular finding.

Access to civil justice and protection against discrimination improved in many countries, but Hungary did not record improvements in either area.

If you missed it: Hungary to unlock EUR 4.2 billion in EU funds: Brussels ends rule-of-law procedure!

Denmark leads as global rule of law decline continues

Denmark topped the 2026 global rankings, followed by Norway, Finland, Sweden and Luxembourg. At the other end of the list, Venezuela ranked last, preceded by Afghanistan, Haiti, Cambodia and Nicaragua.

Within Hungary’s regional group, Denmark was the strongest performer, ranking first worldwide. Norway and Finland followed.

Greece and Bulgaria joined Hungary at the bottom of the regional rankings, with Hungary recording the lowest score of the three.

The overall picture remains concerning, although the WJP noted that fewer countries experienced declines this year than in the previous edition. Nevertheless, deterioration continued to outnumber improvements, with 62% of countries recording a decline.

Poland offers a contrasting example of recovery. It registered the world’s largest improvement over three years, with its score rising by 4.22% since 2023 as democratic checks and institutional safeguards began to recover. The WJP said it was too early to determine whether Hungary would follow a similar trajectory.

Rule of law linked to economic stability

The index also highlights a connection between strong rule-of-law performance and economic conditions.

Countries with above-average GDP per capita, lower-than-median inflation and investment-grade sovereign credit ratings generally achieved stronger scores in the index.

For countries and investors alike, the findings suggest that the rule of law is not only a question of democratic governance but also an important factor associated with economic prosperity and stability.

Hungary’s overall score of 0.50 places it well behind the strongest-performing countries and underscores the challenges identified in government accountability, civil justice and fundamental rights.

The full country results, including Hungary’s performance across all 44 sub-factors, are available on the World Justice Project’s official website.