The 2024 Rule of Law Index highlights a continued global decline in the Rule of Law, with deteriorations in 57% of the countries assessed.
Despite this trend, data reveal that the global retreat in rule of law principles is slowing, suggesting that progress is achievable.
Where Does Bulgaria Stand?
For the third consecutive year, the percentage of countries experiencing a decline in the rule of law has decreased. Additionally, for the first time in five years, more countries have shown improvement in the “absence of corruption” indicator. Bulgaria, however, is not among these countries. From 2016 to 2024, the state of fundamental human rights has worsened in 81% of the countries surveyed, including Bulgaria, with the last year alone showing deterioration in 63% of countries—a trend from which Bulgaria is not exempt.
As in the previous year, Bulgaria ranks 59th out of 142 countries in the Rule of Law Index. Within the European Union (EU), Bulgaria has consistently ranked above only Hungary since 2019. At the top of both the European and global rankings are Denmark, Norway, and Finland. What are the primary factors that continue to keep Bulgaria near the bottom of the EU rankings?
Deep-Rooted Issues
The latest data reflect a reality that Bulgarians have long been aware of: corruption, impunity among high-ranking officials, and ineffective criminal justice are the main issues eroding democracy in the country.
Bulgaria scores particularly low in the sub-factor Government officials in the legislative branch do not use their office for private gain under the Absence of Corruption factor, with a score of just 0.19—on par with countries like Congo and Trinidad and Tobago. Similarly, in terms of restraining the executive branch and specifically within the indicator that Government officials are sanctioned for misconduct, the score is also very low at 0.34, equating Bulgaria’s position to that of Iran.
Another area of concern is criminal justice. The effectiveness of criminal investigations has declined compared to the previous year, with a score of 0.30, on par with Liberia and Niger. Further, Bulgaria’s prison system, particularly in reducing recidivism, scores equally poorly at 0.34, comparable to Indonesia. Administrative justice fares no better, as the indicator for Due process is respected in administrative proceedings also receives a low score of 0.36.
The index implicitly but directly highlights two critical issues. First is the persistent and nourished presence of corruption and nepotism. Second is the long-standing inability—or indeed unwillingness—of the state to address these issues. This failure to dismantle entrenched networks of complicity necessitates a true shift in how key institutions are formed and operated, empowering them to effectively investigate and prosecute wrongdoings. In the absence of such change, parliamentary integrity is undermined, government bodies become complicit with criminal networks, media face (self-)censorship, and ultimately, democracy itself is eroded.
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