Gabon ranks 119th in rule of law index
The World Justice Project's 2026 report shows Gabon improved less than 1% globally.
Gabon ranks 119th out of 143 countries in the World Justice Project's (WJP) 2026 Rule of Law Index, scoring 0.40 overall. The country is among a minority that showed progress, with its global rule of law score increasing by less than 1% this year. Despite this improvement, Gabon ranks 23rd out of 34 countries in sub-Saharan Africa and 42nd out of 44 in upper-middle-income countries.
The WJP index, published on October 21 in Washington, assesses adherence to laws, checks and balances, fundamental rights, and justice system functionality. While Gabon saw improvements in access to and affordability of civil justice, along with the absence of discrimination in civil justice, challenges persist regarding public freedoms and institutional balance. The report notes that 62% of countries globally have seen a decline in the rule of law, with Gabon experiencing limitations on government powers, governmental transparency, and fundamental rights.
Globally, Denmark leads the index, while Venezuela is among the lowest-ranked nations. In sub-Saharan Africa, Rwanda is the highest-ranked country. The WJP highlights that over 86% of countries have experienced a sustained five-year decline in at least one safeguard against authoritarian regimes, a trend that includes Gabon.
Why it mattersGabon's ranking in the rule of law index affects its citizens' fundamental rights and governmental transparency.