Georgia in World Justice Project’s 2022 Rule of Law Index
The World Justice Project released its 2022 Rule of Law Index on 26 October, which noted that Georgia’s rule of law score decreased by less than 1% since 2021 and ranked the country 49 out of 140 countries. Significantly, Georgia’s score has been steadily declining since 2015, when it was rated 0.65 on a 1-point scale, to 0.60 in 2022.
The Rule of Law score is based on 8 factors: constraints on government powers, absence of corruption, open government, fundamental rights, order and security, regulatory enforcement, civil justice, and criminal justice.
The report highlighted that Georgia ranks 1st out of 14 countries in Eastern Europe and Central Asia region, and is followed by Kosovo and North Macedonia. Regionally, the three countries with the lowest scores are Russia, the Kyrgyz Republic, and Turkey. Notably, in the last year, 8 out of the 14 counties in the region, including Georgia, experienced a decline in their score. Of those 8 countries, 6 had also declined the previous year.
Constraints on Government Powers
When it comes to the different factors affecting Georgia’s score, the country has struggled most with constraints on government powers, which measures “the extent to which those who govern are bound by law.” In 2022, Georgia received a score of 0.53, awarding it a global rank of 69 out of 140. Notably, the countries score was 0.62 in 2015 and has been decreasing since.
Within that category, which is scored on 6 factors, Georgia received the following scores in 2022: government powers are effectively limited by the legislature (0.57), government powers are effectively limited by the judiciary (0.44), government powers are effectively limited by independent auditing and review (0.58), government officials are sanctioned for misconduct (0.39), government powers are subject to non-governmental checks (0.66), and transition of power is subject to the law (0.55).
Absence of Corruption
Regarding the absence of corruption in government, Georgia’s score remained unchanged at 0.68, placing it at 31 out of 140 countries. However, the country has been declining here too since 2015, when it was scored 0.73.
Within that category, which is scored on 4 factors, Georgia received the following scores in 2022: government officials in the executive branch do not use public office for private gain (0.60), government officials in the judicial branch do not use public office for private gain (0.72), government officials in the police and the military do not use public office for private gain (0.88), and government officials in the legislative branch do not use public office for private gain (0.51).
Open Government
Regarding open government, which refers to “the openness of government defined by the extent to which a government shares information, empowers people with tools to hold the government accountable, and fosters citizen participation in public policy deliberations,” Georgia was scored 0.59, placing it at 45 out of 140. In this category, Georgia’s score reached its highest point in 2016 when it was scored 0.63 before declining to the current state.
Within that category, which is scored on 4 factors, Georgia received the following scores in 2022: publicized laws and government data (0.52), right to information (0.66), civic participation (0.61), and complaint mechanisms (0.56).
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Fundamental Rights
Regarding fundamental rights, Georgia was ranked 0.62, placing it at 51 out of 140 countries. Here too, the country has been declining since 2016, when it’s score peaked at 0.68.
Within that category, which is scored on 8 factors, Georgia received the following scores in 2022: equal treatment and absence of discrimination (0.58), the right to life and security of the person is effectively guaranteed (0.72), due process of the law and rights of the accussed (0.59), freedom of opinion and expression is effectively guaranteed (0.66), freedom of belief and religion is effectively guaranteed (0.65), freedom from arbitrary interference with privacy is effectively guaranteed (0.47), freedom of assembly and association is effectively guaranteed (0.69), and fundamental labor rights are ffectively guaranteed (0.56).
Order and Security
On order and security, which measures “how well a society ensures the security of persons and property,” Georgia received a rank of 0.79, and is 45 out of 140 countries. While here too Georgia’s score has been declining from 0.83 in 2015, it is one of the categories in which the country has maintained a high score.
Within that category, which is scored on 3 factors, Georgia received the following scores in 2022: crime is effectively controlled (0.92), civil conflict is effectively limited (1.00), and people do not resort to violence to redress personal grievances (0.45).
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Regulatory Enforcement
Looking at regulatory enforcement, which measures “the extent to which regulations are fairly and effectively implemented and enforced,” Georgia was scored 0.57, placing it 48 out of 140 countries. In 2015, Georgia’s scores was 0.62.
Within that category, which is scored on 5 factors, Georgia received the following scores in 2022: government regulations are effectively enforced (0.57), government regulations are applied and enforced without improper influence (0.80), administrative proceedings are conducted without unreasonable delay (0.47), due process is respected in administrative proceedings (0.39), and the government does not expropriate without lawful process and adequate compensation (0.60).
Civil Justice
Regarding civil justice, which measures “whether ordinary people can resolve their grievances peacefully and effectively through the civil justice system,” Georgia was scored 0.53 and is listed at 68 out of 140 countries. Notably, in 2015, the country’s score was 0.63.
Within that category, which is scored on 7 factors, Georgia received the following scores in 2022: people can access and afford civil justice (0.63), civil justice is free of discrimination (0.54), civil justice is free of corruption (0.59), civil justice is free of improper government influence (0.39), civil justice is not subject to unreasonable delay (0.34), civil justice is effectively enforced (0.52), and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms are accesible, impartial, and effective (0.73).
Criminal Justice
In the final category of criminal justice, which evaluates a country’s criminal justice system, Georgia was scored 0.51 and is 54 out of 140 countries.
Within that category, which is scored on 7 factors, Georgia received the following scores in 2022: criminal investigation system is effective (0.36), criminal adjudication system is timely and effective (0.56), correctional system is effective in reducing criminal behavior (0.63), criminal system is impartial (0.49), criminal system is free of corruption (0.73), criminal system is free of improper influence (0.24), and due process of the law and rights of the accused (0.59).
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