Thailand has fallen three places to 80th out of 143 countries and jurisdictions in the World Justice Project’s (WJP) Rule of Law Index 2026, scoring 0.50 out of a possible 1.00.
The country ranked 24th among 44 upper-middle-income countries, according to the index released on 21 October by the Washington-based organisation.
Singapore ranked first among Southeast Asian countries, placing among the world’s top performers with a score of 0.79. Malaysia followed with 0.57, Indonesia scored 0.51, and Thailand and Vietnam each received 0.50.
The Philippines scored 0.46, while Myanmar and Cambodia recorded 0.33 and 0.31, respectively.
Globally, Denmark topped the index, followed by Norway, Finland, Sweden and Luxembourg. Venezuela ranked last, preceded by Afghanistan, Haiti, Cambodia and Nicaragua.
The WJP said the global rule of law downturn persisted in 2026, with more countries recording declines than improvements for the ninth consecutive year. Some 62% of countries saw their scores fall, compared with 38% that improved.
The organisation also found that more than 86% of countries had experienced a sustained five-year decline in at least one safeguard against authoritarian rule: constraints on government powers, open government or fundamental rights.
“Authoritarianism is no longer merely an emerging trend — it has become entrenched in many parts of the world,” WJP Executive Director Alejandro Ponce said.
Restrictions on civic freedoms remained a major concern. Freedom of opinion and expression deteriorated in 64% of countries, freedom of assembly and association declined in 67%, and civic participation weakened in 65%.
The report also found that civil justice deteriorated in 64% of countries and criminal justice in 58%, with improper government influence identified as a key factor in both areas. Judicial limits on government powers weakened in 63% of countries.
The WJP Rule of Law Index assesses eight areas: constraints on government powers, absence of corruption, open government, fundamental rights, order and security, regulatory enforcement, civil justice and criminal justice.
Scores range from 0 to 1, with higher scores indicating stronger adherence to the rule of law.
The organisation said stronger rule of law was also associated with higher economic prosperity, lower inflation and better sovereign credit ratings.
