HK maintains strong position in rule of law index

Its score for Absence of Corruption also increased, ranking 10th worldwide.

Hong Kong has retained its position in the 2024 World Justice Project Rule of Law Index, ranking sixth in East Asia and the Pacific and 23rd globally amongst 142 countries and jurisdictions, the government announced.

The government said that Hong Kong continues to rank higher than several European and American countries that frequently criticise its rule of law and human rights situation.

It also noted improvements in Regulatory Enforcement and Civil Justice, whilst maintaining its score in Open Government.

Hong Kong's score for Absence of Corruption increased, ranking 10th worldwide, reinforcing its status as one of the most corruption-free regions globally.

The government plans to enhance its international standing in anti-corruption efforts through collaboration with experts from Hong Kong, the Mainland, and abroad.

However, the city saw slight declines in scores related to Constraints on Government Powers, Fundamental Rights, Order & Security, and Criminal Justice.

Despite this, it emphasised that these changes do not reflect Hong Kong’s strong institutional framework and effective rule of law under the "one country, two systems" principle.

The government also affirmed its commitment to maintaining a trusted legal system and protecting residents' rights, backed by the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights Ordinance. Overall, Hong Kong's score of 0.72 is on par with countries ranked 22nd and 24th globally.