Rule of Law in Greece Slips to 48th Worldwide, Near Bottom in Europe
Adherence to the rule of law in Greece has deteriorated, landing it in 48th place out of 143 countries globally and at the near-bottom of European countries in the World Justice Project’s new global index.
The Rule of Law Index confirms an escalating global crisis in democratic accountability, with 68 percent of the 143 countries surveyed recording declines—the highest rate since the index began in 2009. Experts describe a “systemic crisis of democratic accountability,” as core safeguards against government overreach weaken across the globe.
Greece’s rule of law: Institutional erosion and last in Europe for security
Greece’s marginal slip reflects a deeper institutional struggle against the backdrop of an accelerating worldwide “recession in the rule of law.” Regionally, the country is ranked 29th among 31 European nations (EU, EFTA, and North America), placing it ahead only of Bulgaria and Hungary.
The report highlights several critical areas of erosion in the Greek system:
- Shrinking public space: Key indicators for freedom of expression, assembly, and civic participation have worsened, signaling a pattern of authoritarian backsliding. The WJP warns that limited citizen engagement increases the risk of political influence over the judiciary.
- Justice system under strain: Greece ranks 55th globally in criminal justice and 50th in civil justice. The system is described as plagued by chronic delays, growing interference, and reduced judicial independence. This aligns with the global trend in which courts’ ability to check government power is weakening in 61 percent of indexed countries.
- Security: The most alarming finding is Greece’s performance in order and security, where it ranks 71st globally and is dead last in Europe. This unfortunate showing is driven by delayed justice, ineffective law enforcement, and low public trust in security forces.
Despite digital progress and reform pledges, the WJP stresses that “Laws alone are not enough; consistent enforcement is required.” For Greece, the report serves as a cautionary signal: democratic institutions function but with diminishing resilience, creating an environment of gradual institutional decay.
Related: Mitsotakis Says Rule of Law in Greece is “Stronger than Ever”
Global trends: Winners and losers
The 2025 Index confirmed a worrying trend across Europe, where the rule of law declined in over two-thirds of EU countries. However, Northern Europe maintains its reputation for judicial independence, transparency, and civil liberties, dominating the top spots globally.
Denmark tops the Index for the fifth consecutive year, above Norway and Finland. Notable exceptions to the European decline include Ireland and Poland, which showed modest but significant improvements across various rule-of-law indicators, demonstrating that positive change is possible even amid a negative regional and global trend.
At the bottom of the global rankings, the countries with the weakest adherence to the rule of law are led by Venezuela, Afghanistan, Cambodia, and Haiti. The sharpest declines globally were recorded in countries like the Russian Federation and Sudan.
Related: Greece Falls Five Spots in 2024 Democracy Index, Global Democracy at Historic Low
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