Canada stays high in a global rule-of-law ranking as the US slips

Canada's place in the 2026 index

13th of 143 countries

Canada ranks 13th of 143 countries in the World Justice Project's 2026 Rule of Law Index, released Wednesday.

Canada scores well on fundamental rights, open government and limits on government power. Its overall score improved very slightly, but it slipped from 12th place, where it sat in recent years.

The United States fell to 30th place, a historic low according to the Washington-based organization. It ranked 18th in 2016, at the end of Barack Obama's second term.

"For the ninth year in a row, the rule of law has declined in most countries."

— World Justice Project

The top four, in order

1. 1 Denmark
2. 2 Norway
3. 3 Finland
4. 4 Sweden

Denmark, Norway, Finland and Sweden hold the top four places, unchanged for 10 years. Venezuela ranks last, 143rd.