Malta has ranked 48th globally in Civil Justice according to the 2024 World Justice Project (WJP) Rule of Law Index, coming in 25th out of 31 countries within the EU and North America region.

With a score of 0.60 in this category, the ranking highlights areas for improvement, especially in ensuring civil justice is accessible, fair, and free from discrimination or corruption.

Overall, Malta ranks 30th out of 142 countries on the Rule of Law Index, with an overall score of 0.67. This places Malta 22nd within its regional group.

The country performs best in Order and Security, where it ranks 10th globally with a score of 0.91, indicating a high level of peace and safety.

Fundamental Rights also received a strong score of 0.74, with Malta ranking 28th, showing positive results in protecting freedoms of expression, privacy, and other core human rights.

In Constraints on Government Powers, Malta ranks 39th globally with a score of 0.63, reflecting moderate checks and balances on government authority.

The Absence of Corruption category sees Malta at 40th place with a score of 0.64, suggesting moderate levels of corruption in government and public institutions.

Open Government is another area where Malta ranks 32nd globally, scoring 0.63, indicating efforts towards transparency and public engagement.

However, in Regulatory Enforcement, Malta ranks 43rd with a score of 0.59, highlighting challenges in ensuring that regulations are enforced fairly and effectively.

In Criminal Justice, Malta stands at 28th globally with a score of 0.63, reflecting a moderate level of effectiveness and impartiality in the criminal justice system.

The World Justice Project’s Rule of Law Index evaluates 142 countries on justice, accountability, and governance based on extensive surveys and expert input.

This index provides an essential benchmark for policymakers and civil society, underscoring both strengths and areas where reform can advance Malta’s commitment to justice and the rule of law.

For further details on Malta’s performance and the global rankings, visit the World Justice Project website.

What do you make of these rankings for Malta?