Rule of law index: Albania, the most corrupt in Europe

For the seventh consecutive year, the rule of law has declined globally, according to the Rule of Law Index 2024, published by the World Justice Project.

This year, the rule of law weakened again in most of the countries surveyed (57%).

However, the Index data also suggest that the global rule of law recession is slowing and that progress is possible.

Albania ranks 89th out of 142 countries worldwide. Regionally, Albania ranks 10th out of 15 countries in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

Our country performs the weakest in the "Lack of Corruption" indicator, ranking 107th, which indicates a high level of corruption.

The lack of corruption is calculated by the following factors:

2.1 Government officials in the executive branch do not use public functions for private gain

2.2 Government officials in the justice branch do not use public functions for private gain

2.3 Government officials in the police and military do not use public functions for private gain

2.4 Government officials in the legislative branch do not use public functions for private gain

The Albanian respondents do not agree that there is a lack of corruption in the country, on the contrary, Albania is perceived as the most corrupt in Europe. This is the indicator that received the least points (37). Albania is perceived as the most corrupt in Europe, leaving behind only Ukraine. After Albania, the highest perception of corruption is Serbia (93rd place), Bosnia Herzegovina (80th), North Macedonia (71st), Kosovo (65th). In the region, Montenegrins have the lowest perception of corruption (62).

Albania enters the red zone of corruption, where the implementation of the rules of the game is weak.

Albania and world trends  

Since 2016, a global recession of the rule of law has affected 77% of the countries studied, including Albania. The index is built on the basis of 8 factors: Limitations on government powers; Absence of Corruption; Open Government; Fundamental rights; Order and Security; Regulatory Implementation; Civil Justice; Criminal Justice.

Globally, declines were largely driven by authoritarian trends. Between 2016 and 2024, the index factor measuring Fundamental Rights fell in 81% of countries, including Albania.

Over the past seven years, Index scores for Restrictions on Government Powers have fallen in 77% of countries, including Albania. Around the world, legislatures, the judiciary and civil society, including the media, have all lost ground in controlling executive power, the Index shows.

On the other hand, some progress has been made globally in the fight against corruption between 2023 and 2024. This year, 59% of countries saw their corruption-free index scores improve, including Albania.

"After years of declining rule of law, it can be easy to focus on the downside. But to do so is to ignore the achievements in the fight against corruption and the hard work going on to improve justice systems globally,” said WJP co-founder and president William H. Neukom.

Compared to the Balkans, Albania leaves behind only Serbia (94), while other countries have higher results. Specifically, North Macedonia in 67th place, Kosovo in 58th place and Montenegro in 56th place.

Disturbing authoritarian trends continue

Last year, there was some hope that global authoritarian trends were beginning to slow. Despite this, this year's index finds wider and deeper declines in two critical factors of the Index: Fundamental Rights and Limits on Government Powers.

The long-term implications are worrisome. Between 2016 and 2024, people in 81% of countries have lost protection for their fundamental rights. Furthermore, 77% of countries indicate a weakening of government checks and balances, including oversight by legislatures, courts, civil society and the media. Over 6 billion people now live in countries where the rule of law is weaker than it was in 2016.

"In every corner of the world, we continue to see leaders consolidating their authority," added Neukom.

The WJP Rule of Law Index is based on expert and household surveys to measure the rule of law in 142 countries and jurisdictions, covering 95% of the world's population.

The top-ranked country in this year's Rule of Law Index is Denmark, followed by Norway (2), Finland (3), Sweden (4) and Germany (5). The top five ranked countries remain unchanged from 2023. The countries with the weakest scores on the rule of law are Venezuela (142), Cambodia (141), Afghanistan (140), Haiti (139) and Myanmar (138)./ Monitor