Afghanistan ranks second-worst globally in Rule of Law Index

Afghanistan has been ranked 142nd out of 143 countries and jurisdictions in the World Justice Project’s 2026 Rule of Law Index, making it the second-lowest performing nation globally. Only Venezuela ranked lower, while Haiti placed 141st. Denmark, Norway, and Finland occupied the top three positions.

The index evaluates legal systems across eight categories, including absence of corruption, constraints on government power, fundamental rights, and criminal justice. Afghanistan scored poorly across these metrics, ranking 135th in criminal justice and 140th in fundamental rights and order and security. It also ranked 125th in constraints on government powers.

The report follows observations from media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF), which stated that the Taliban has increasingly restricted journalists and independent media through various national directives and provincial decrees since seizing power in August 2021.