Photo: Afghanistan Matters · CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 01 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Afghanistan: Governance & Institutions
How well is the state actually run?
Afghanistan is placed 179th of 194 countries on governance & institutions in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: Government Effectiveness -1.969 (2025); Statistical Performance Indicators 54.39 (2024).
Share
Governance & Institutions
179th
of 194 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
- -1.969Government Effectiveness, 2025Governance estimate (−2.5 weak to 2.5 strong)
- 54.39Statistical Performance Indicators, 2024SPI overall score (0–100)
- 16Corruption Perceptions Index, 2025CPI score (0–100, where 100 is very clean)
- 0.143Judicial Constraints on the Executive Index, 2025Judicial constraints on the executive index (0–1)
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Afghanistan on governance & institutions — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
-1.969
Governance estimate (−2.5 weak to 2.5 strong)
Higher is better
Afghanistan: -1.969. Across the 209 countries in this edition, values run from -2.251 (South Sudan) to 2.092 (Singapore); the world median is 0.101.
- World median
- 0.101
- Best in Southern Asia
- 0.706 Bhutan
- Land neighbours
- China 0.624 · Iran -0.857 · Pakistan -0.606 · Tajikistan -0.686 · Turkmenistan -1.155 · Uzbekistan -0.196
Key 2 of 4
Statistical Performance Indicators
World Bank Group
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 4.0
54.39
SPI overall score (0–100)
Higher is better
Afghanistan: 54.39. Across the 188 countries in this edition, values run from 27.12 (South Sudan) to 94.14 (Norway); the world median is 69.3.
- World median
- 69.3
- Best in Southern Asia
- 74.58 Sri Lanka
- Land neighbours
- China 57.93 · Iran 63.52 · Pakistan 68.06 · Tajikistan 63.87 · Turkmenistan 29.65 · Uzbekistan 81.49
Key 3 of 4
Corruption Perceptions Index
Transparency International
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0 (the data), CC BY-ND 4.0 (the website and report)
16
CPI score (0–100, where 100 is very clean)
Higher is better
Ranked 169th of 181 by Transparency International
Afghanistan: 16. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 9 (Somalia) to 89 (Denmark); the world median is 39.
- World median
- 39
- Best in Southern Asia
- 71 Bhutan
- Land neighbours
- China 43 · Iran 23 · Pakistan 28 · Tajikistan 19 · Turkmenistan 17 · Uzbekistan 31
Key 4 of 4
Judicial Constraints on the Executive Index
V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY-SA 4.0
0.143
Judicial constraints on the executive index (0–1)
Higher is better
Afghanistan: 0.143. Across the 176 countries in this edition, values run from 0.003 (Nicaragua) to 0.988 (Australia); the world median is 0.676.
- World median
- 0.676
- Best in Southern Asia
- 0.912 Sri Lanka
- Land neighbours
- China 0.03 · Iran 0.116 · Pakistan 0.499 · Tajikistan 0.021 · Turkmenistan 0.049 · Uzbekistan 0.08
02Over time
Which way Afghanistan is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Government Effectiveness
Governance estimate (−2.5 weak to 2.5 strong) · higher is better
AfghanistanWorld median
Afghanistan rose from -2.405 in 2000 to -1.969 in 2025; the world median went from -0.397 to 0.101.
Every year’s figures
Year Afghanistan World median 2025 -1.969 0.1006 2024 -1.974 0.0098 2023 -2.105 -0.0408 2022 -1.990 -0.0305 2021 -1.735 -0.0158 2020 -1.715 -0.0171 2019 -1.656 0.0150 2018 -1.608 0.0159 2017 -1.422 0.0158 2016 -1.401 0.0225 2015 -1.453 0.0038 2014 -1.507 0.0194 2013 -1.513 -0.0758 2012 -1.514 -0.0839 2011 -1.609 -0.1221 2010 -1.594 -0.1145 2009 -1.567 -0.1609 2008 -1.626 -0.2134 2007 -1.648 -0.3260 2006 -1.680 -0.3310 2005 -1.390 -0.3706 2004 -1.183 -0.3140 2003 -2.148 -0.4369 2002 -2.146 -0.3366 2000 -2.405 -0.3969 Statistical Performance Indicators
SPI overall score (0–100) · higher is better
AfghanistanWorld median
Afghanistan rose from 39.73 in 2016 to 54.39 in 2024; the world median went from 56.25 to 69.3.
Every year’s figures
Year Afghanistan World median 2024 54.4 69.30 2023 56.7 68.86 2022 59.0 67.99 2021 59.2 69.96 2020 55.6 62.91 2019 51.9 61.19 2018 52.3 61.17 2017 45.1 59.55 2016 39.7 56.25 Corruption Perceptions Index
CPI score (0–100, where 100 is very clean) · higher is better
AfghanistanWorld median
Afghanistan rose from 8 in 2012 to 16 in 2025; the world median went from 37 to 39.
Every year’s figures
Year Afghanistan World median 2025 16 39.0 2024 17 40.0 2023 20 40.0 2022 24 39.5 2021 16 39.0 2020 19 40.0 2019 16 39.5 2018 16 38.0 2017 15 38.5 2016 15 38.0 2015 11 37.0 2014 12 38.0 2013 8 38.0 2012 8 37.0 Judicial Constraints on the Executive Index
Judicial constraints on the executive index (0–1) · higher is better
AfghanistanWorld median
Afghanistan fell from 0.196 in 2000 to 0.143 in 2025; the world median went from 0.647 to 0.676.
Every year’s figures
Year Afghanistan World median 2025 0.143 0.6760 2024 0.095 0.6645 2023 0.099 0.6590 2022 0.054 0.6600 2021 0.057 0.6580 2020 0.210 0.6645 2019 0.211 0.6560 2018 0.226 0.6485 2017 0.226 0.6550 2016 0.224 0.6520 2015 0.232 0.6700 2014 0.231 0.6515 2013 0.248 0.6550 2012 0.250 0.6750 2011 0.250 0.6680 2010 0.250 0.6640 2009 0.255 0.6580 2008 0.254 0.6590 2007 0.254 0.6630 2006 0.254 0.6590 2005 0.251 0.6580 2004 0.255 0.6480 2003 0.239 0.6480 2002 0.239 0.6470 2001 0.217 0.6530 2000 0.196 0.6465
03In context
Afghanistan beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 194 countries on governance & institutions, never a place within the region.
Afghanistan and the countries it borders
Standing among all 194; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Government EffectivenessGovernance estimate (−2.5 weak to 2.5 strong) | Statistical Performance IndicatorsSPI overall score (0–100) | Corruption Perceptions IndexCPI score (0–100, where 100 is very clean) | Judicial Constraints on the Executive IndexJudicial constraints on the executive index (0–1) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 China | 125th | 0.624 | 57.93 | 43 | 0.03 |
 Uzbekistan | =131st | -0.196 | 81.49 | 31 | 0.08 |
 Pakistancompare | 136th | -0.606 | 68.06 | 28 | 0.499 |
 Iran | 168th | -0.857 | 63.52 | 23 | 0.116 |
 Tajikistan | 170th | -0.686 | 63.87 | 19 | 0.021 |
| Afghanistan | 179th | -1.969 | 54.39 | 16 | 0.143 |
 Turkmenistan | 188th | -1.155 | 29.65 | 17 | 0.049 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Southern Asia
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 194.
Placed either side on governance & institutions
The countries immediately above and below Afghanistan in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Afghanistan is ahead of the world, and behind
33 more statistics filed under governance & institutions, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median1
Statistics on which Afghanistan does better than the middle country measured.
Trade Union DensityILO · 2020 · world median 16.6816.7716.68No earlier reading
Afghanistan: 16.77 · world median 16.68 · Employees who are trade union members (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 0.2 to 91.42; higher is better.
Position 69th of 139 · derived.
Behind the world median29
Statistics on which Afghanistan does worse than the middle country measured.
Bribery IncidenceWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 7.2699.4887.269No earlier reading
Afghanistan: 9.488 · world median 7.269 · Firms asked for a bribe at least once in six dealings with officials (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 64.26; lower is better.
Position 75th of 175 · derived, 1st = worst.
Firms Expecting to Make Informal Payments to Public OfficialsWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 6.40312.256.403No earlier reading
Afghanistan: 12.25 · world median 6.403 · Firms saying firms like theirs pay officials informally to get things done (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 55.03; lower is better.
Position 60th of 178 · derived, 1st = worst.
Disability Benefit CoverageILO · 2025 · world median 43.913.643.9No earlier reading
Afghanistan: 13.6 · world median 43.9 · People with severe disabilities receiving disability benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Old-Age Pension CoverageILO · 2025 · world median 80.824.780.8No earlier reading
Afghanistan: 24.7 · world median 80.8 · People above statutory pensionable age receiving an old-age pension (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Political Corruption IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.5180.7690.518▲ Improved since 2015
Afghanistan: 0.769 · world median 0.518 · Political corruption index (0–1; higher = more corrupt). V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.004 to 0.968; lower is better.
Position 41st of 176 · derived, 1st = worst.
Open Data InventoryOpen Data Watch · 2024 · world median 594359▼ Worsened since 2015
Afghanistan: 43 · world median 59 · ODIN overall score (0–100). Open Data Watch, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 19 to 90; higher is better.
Ranked 132nd of 168 by Open Data Watch.
Global Indicators of Regulatory Governance ScoreWorld Bank Group · 2018 · world median 2.2512.25No earlier reading
Afghanistan: 1 · world median 2.25 · Regulatory governance score (0–5, where 5 is the most transparent rule-making). World Bank Group, 2018 edition, data for 2018.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 5; higher is better.
Climate Readiness (ND-GAIN)Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame · 2024 · world median 0.3870.2720.387▲ Improved since 2014
Afghanistan: 0.272 · world median 0.387 · ND-GAIN Readiness (0–1, where 1 is the most ready). Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.137 to 0.749; higher is better.
Ranked 164th of 192 by Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame.
State Authority over TerritoryV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 95.379.595.3▲ Improved since 2015
Afghanistan: 79.5 · world median 95.3 · Territory under effective state control (% of official territory). V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 47.56 to 100; higher is better.
Neopatrimonial Rule IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.4450.8990.445▼ Worsened since 2015
Afghanistan: 0.899 · world median 0.445 · Neopatrimonial rule index (0–1; higher = more personalised rule). V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.008 to 0.989; lower is better.
Position 20th of 176 · derived, 1st = worst.
Meritocratic Appointment in the State AdministrationV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.309-1.2780.309▼ Worsened since 2015
Afghanistan: -1.278 · world median 0.309 · Original latent estimate (≈ −2.9 to +3.6); higher = more appointments on merit. V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -2.442 to 3.584; higher is better.
Position 158th of 176 · derived.
Social Protection CoverageILO · 2025 · world median 52.17.552.1No earlier reading
Afghanistan: 7.5 · world median 52.1 · Population covered by at least one social protection benefit (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Control of CorruptionWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median -0.197-1.306-0.197▲ Improved since 2015
Afghanistan: -1.306 · world median -0.197 · Control of Corruption (−2.5 to 2.5). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -2.096 to 2.259; higher is better.
Position 192nd of 211 · derived.
Completeness of Birth RegistrationUNICEF · 2025 · world median 98.447.898.4No earlier reading
Afghanistan: 47.8 · world median 98.4 · Children under 5 whose birth is registered (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2.7 to 100; higher is better.
Child and Family Benefit CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 23.750.423.75No earlier reading
Afghanistan: 0.4 · world median 23.75 · Children or households with children receiving child or family cash benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Regulatory QualityWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median -0.093-1.437-0.093▼ Worsened since 2015
Afghanistan: -1.437 · world median -0.093 · Regulatory Quality (−2.5 to 2.5). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -2.106 to 2.113; higher is better.
Position 195th of 209 · derived.
State Fiscal Source of RevenueV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 1.179-0.8611.179No real change since 2015
Afghanistan: -0.861 · world median 1.179 · Original latent estimate (≈ −2.9 to +3.1); higher = broader taxation. V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -1.716 to 3.135; higher is better.
Position 165th of 176 · derived.
Country Policy and Institutional AssessmentWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 3.2461.7673.246▼ Worsened since 2015
Afghanistan: 1.767 · world median 3.246 · IDA Resource Allocation Index (1 = low to 6 = high). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1.617 to 4.225; higher is better.
Position 74th of 78 · derived.
State Capacity IndexJonathan K. Hanson (University of Michigan) and Rachel Sigman (Naval Postgraduate School) · 2015 · world median 0.487-1.0460.487▲ Improved since 2005
Afghanistan: -1.046 · world median 0.487 · Latent estimate of state capacity (≈ −2.3 to +3.0, centred near 0); higher = a more capable state. Jonathan K. Hanson (University of Michigan) and Rachel Sigman (Naval Postgraduate School), 2015 edition, data for 2015.
Published values in that edition run from -2.096 to 2.697; higher is better.
Position 158th of 166 · derived.
GovTech Maturity IndexWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 0.630.1210.63▼ Worsened since 2022
Afghanistan: 0.121 · world median 0.63 · GTMI score (0–1). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.01 to 0.997; higher is better.
Position 188th of 196 · derived.
Government AI Readiness IndexOxford Insights · 2025 · world median 40.1915.7240.19No real change since 2020
Afghanistan: 15.72 · world median 40.19 · AI readiness score (0–100). Oxford Insights, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 12.12 to 88.36; higher is better.
Ranked 188th of 195 by Oxford Insights.
Civic Space RatingsCIVICUS · 2025 · world median 50.467.6850.46No earlier reading
Afghanistan: 7.68 · world median 50.46 · Civic space score (0–100). CIVICUS, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2.17 to 100; higher is better.
Position 191st of 198 · derived.
Rule of LawWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median -0.102-1.851-0.102No real change since 2015
Afghanistan: -1.851 · world median -0.102 · Rule of Law estimate (−2.5 to 2.5). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -2.199 to 2.012; higher is better.
Position 206th of 211 · derived.
Liberal Democracy IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.3530.0180.353▼ Worsened since 2015
Afghanistan: 0.018 · world median 0.353 · Liberal democracy index (0–1). V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.009 to 0.884; higher is better.
Position 173rd of 176 · derived.
V-Dem Electoral Democracy IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.4970.0690.497▼ Worsened since 2015
Afghanistan: 0.069 · world median 0.497 · Electoral democracy index (0–1). V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.016 to 0.913; higher is better.
Position 173rd of 176 · derived.
Rigorous and Impartial Public AdministrationV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.333-3.1950.333▼ Worsened since 2015
Afghanistan: -3.195 · world median 0.333 · Original latent estimate (≈ −3.6 to +4.0); higher = a more rigorous and impartial administration. V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -3.552 to 3.99; higher is better.
Position 175th of 176 · derived.
Voice and AccountabilityWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median -0.022-2.183-0.022▼ Worsened since 2015
Afghanistan: -2.183 · world median -0.022 · Voice and Accountability estimate (−2.5 to 2.5). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -2.348 to 1.825; higher is better.
Position 205th of 206 · derived.
Equal Protection IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.6510.0270.651▼ Worsened since 2015
Afghanistan: 0.027 · world median 0.651 · Equal protection index (0–1); higher = rights and freedoms protected more equally across social groups and classes. V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.027 to 0.986; higher is better.
Position 176th of 176 · derived.
Women, Business and the LawWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 81.253.12581.25No real change since 2015
Afghanistan: 3.125 · world median 81.25 · WBL Index (0–100, where 100 is full legal parity). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 3.125 to 100; higher is better.
Position 190th of 190 · derived.
No better end3
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Central Bank Independence IndexAna Carolina Garriga, University of Essex · 2023 · world median 0.6080.7460.608No real change since 2013
Afghanistan: 0.746 · world median 0.608 · CBI index (0–1, where 1 is the most statutory independence). Ana Carolina Garriga, University of Essex, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.006 to 0.974.
Senior Management Time Spent on Government RegulationWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 6.7959.6996.795No earlier reading
Afghanistan: 9.699 · world median 6.795 · Senior management time spent dealing with government regulation (% of a typical week). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0.025 to 31.33.
Public Sector EmploymentWorld Bank Group · 2022 · world median 15.018.74415.01No earlier reading
Afghanistan: 8.744 · world median 15.01 · Public sector employment (% of total employment). World Bank Group, 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 1.672 to 47.1.
Position 92nd of 135 · derived, counted from the highest value.
No current reading for Afghanistan
Agriculture Orientation Index (last 2023), Business Ready: Operational Efficiency, Business Ready: Public Services, Business Ready: Regulatory Framework, Debt Service on External Debt (last 2020), External Debt Stocks (% of GNI) (last 2023), Foundational ID Ownership (last 2021), General Government Consumption (last 2024), Government Funding per Primary Student (last 2017), Government Spending on Education (last 2017), Labour Inspectors per 10,000 Employed Persons and Public Sector Wage Bill (last 2020). Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Governance & Institutions among Afghanistan’s 13 topics
Governance & Institutions is Afghanistan’s 7th best-placed topic of 13. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Energy16th of 1652/3 keys
- Environment & Sustainabilityjoint 97th of 1864/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation131st of 1762/4 keys
- Food & Agriculture155th of 1843/4 keys
- Peace & Securityjoint 160th of 1774/4 keys
- Risk & Resilience178th of 1934/4 keys
- Governance & Institutions179th of 1944/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeing190th of 2004/4 keys
- Gender & Equality175th of 1833/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties190th of 1984/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital189th of 1963/3 keys
- Digital & Technology194th of 1983/4 keys
- Work & Labour182nd of 1824/4 keys
No standing on Education & Knowledge, Mobility & Trade, Poverty & Inequality: too few of those topics’ key statistics are published for this country.
06The top of the list
Who leads on governance & institutions
The three countries placed highest of 194, and the leaders Afghanistan can most readily be measured against.
1
DenmarkNorthern Europe
1st of 194 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: User:Aconcagua · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
New ZealandAustralia and New Zealand
2nd of 194 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Karora derivative work: Inkey · Public domain, greyscale
3
SwedenNorthern Europe
3rd of 194 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: User:Pieter Kuiper · Public domain, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Asia
Japan=10th4/4 keysHighest in Southern Asia
Bhutan51st4/4 keysThis page
Afghanistan179th4/4 keys
Positions out of 194 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Analysis
Charts and analysis about Afghanistan and governance & institutions
08Questions
Afghanistan on governance & institutions: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Afghanistan rank on governance & institutions?
Afghanistan is placed 179th of 194 countries on Governance & Institutions in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (Government Effectiveness, Statistical Performance Indicators, Corruption Perceptions Index and Judicial Constraints on the Executive Index). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Government Effectiveness figure for Afghanistan?
-1.969 in 2025 (governance estimate (−2.5 weak to 2.5 strong)), according to World Bank Group. The world median in the same edition was 0.101.
What is the latest Statistical Performance Indicators figure for Afghanistan?
54.39 in 2024 (sPI overall score (0–100)), according to World Bank Group. The world median in the same edition was 69.3.
How does Afghanistan compare with China on governance & institutions?
China is placed 125th of 194, and Afghanistan 179th. Government Effectiveness: China 0.624, Afghanistan -1.969; Statistical Performance Indicators: China 57.93, Afghanistan 54.39; Corruption Perceptions Index: China 43, Afghanistan 16; Judicial Constraints on the Executive Index: China 0.03, Afghanistan 0.143.
How have Afghanistan’s governance & institutions figures changed?
Government Effectiveness rose from -2.405 in 2000 to -1.969 in 2025; Statistical Performance Indicators rose from 39.73 in 2016 to 54.39 in 2024; Corruption Perceptions Index rose from 8 in 2012 to 16 in 2025; Judicial Constraints on the Executive Index fell from 0.196 in 2000 to 0.143 in 2025.
Which governance & institutions statistics are missing for Afghanistan?
No current reading is published for Afghanistan on Agriculture Orientation Index, Business Ready: Operational Efficiency, Business Ready: Public Services, Business Ready: Regulatory Framework, Debt Service on External Debt, External Debt Stocks (% of GNI), Foundational ID Ownership, General Government Consumption, Government Funding per Primary Student, Government Spending on Education, Labour Inspectors per 10,000 Employed Persons and Public Sector Wage Bill. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
09Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
Governance is not democracy. Free elections, civil liberties and press freedom belong to the Democracy & Civil Liberties topic, and a country can place well on one and poorly on the other. How openly official data is published sits here as context, beside the statistical capacity that is a key. Nor does this topic measure the size of government or how much it spends — the share of the economy run by the state is published on this page as context, with no better end.
How the Governance & Institutions standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 4 keys to be placed.
The governance & institutions method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Government Effectiveness — World Bank Group, CC BY 4.0
- Statistical Performance Indicators — World Bank Group, CC BY 4.0
- Corruption Perceptions Index — Transparency International, CC BY 4.0 (the data), CC BY-ND 4.0 (the website and report)
- Judicial Constraints on the Executive Index — V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, CC BY-SA 4.0
The other 33 statistics on this page come from 10 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Afghanistan’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Afghanistan (banner) — Afghanistan Matters, CC BY 2.0
- Denmark — User:Aconcagua, CC BY-SA 3.0
- New Zealand — Karora derivative work: Inkey, Public domain
- Sweden — User:Pieter Kuiper, Public domain
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Afghanistan: Governance & Institutions — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/afghanistan/governance