Photo: xiangyang17 · CC BY-SA 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 01 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Taiwan: Governance & Institutions
How well is the state actually run?
Taiwan is placed 30th of 194 countries on governance & institutions in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: Government Effectiveness 1.511 (2025); Corruption Perceptions Index 68 (2025).
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Governance & Institutions
30th
of 194 countries placed
Placed from 3 of 4 key statistics
Not placed in the Country Index 2026 overall: measured on too few topics.
- 1.511Government Effectiveness, 2025Governance estimate (−2.5 weak to 2.5 strong)
- —Statistical Performance Indicators, 2024No reading for this country
- 68Corruption Perceptions Index, 2025CPI score (0–100, where 100 is very clean)
- 0.794Judicial 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 Taiwan 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.
1.511
Governance estimate (−2.5 weak to 2.5 strong)
Higher is better
Taiwan: 1.511. 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 Eastern Asia
- 2.041 Japan
Key 2 of 4
Statistical Performance Indicators
World Bank Group
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 4.0
No reading
SPI overall score (0–100)
Higher is better
World Bank Group publishes no 2024 figure for Taiwan, so the standing rests on the other keys.
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 Eastern Asia
- 91.57 South Korea
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)
68
CPI score (0–100, where 100 is very clean)
Higher is better
Ranked 24th of 181 by Transparency International
Taiwan: 68. 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 Eastern Asia
- 76 Hong Kong
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
0.794
Judicial constraints on the executive index (0–1)
Higher is better
Taiwan: 0.794. 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 Eastern Asia
- 0.881 Japan
02Over time
Which way Taiwan 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
TaiwanWorld median
Taiwan rose from 0.951 in 2000 to 1.511 in 2025; the world median went from -0.397 to 0.101.
Every year’s figures
Year Taiwan World median 2025 1.511 0.1006 2024 1.517 0.0098 2023 1.571 -0.0408 2022 1.548 -0.0305 2021 1.526 -0.0158 2020 1.601 -0.0171 2019 1.499 0.0150 2018 1.441 0.0159 2017 1.301 0.0158 2016 1.372 0.0225 2015 1.367 0.0038 2014 1.338 0.0194 2013 1.239 -0.0758 2012 1.271 -0.0839 2011 1.238 -0.1221 2010 1.217 -0.1145 2009 1.168 -0.1609 2008 1.101 -0.2134 2007 1.066 -0.3260 2006 1.072 -0.3310 2005 1.163 -0.3706 2004 1.102 -0.3140 2003 1.032 -0.4369 2002 0.944 -0.3366 2000 0.951 -0.3969 Corruption Perceptions Index
CPI score (0–100, where 100 is very clean) · higher is better
TaiwanWorld median
Taiwan rose from 61 in 2012 to 68 in 2025; the world median went from 37 to 39.
Every year’s figures
Year Taiwan World median 2025 68 39.0 2024 67 40.0 2023 67 40.0 2022 68 39.5 2021 68 39.0 2020 65 40.0 2019 65 39.5 2018 63 38.0 2017 63 38.5 2016 61 38.0 2015 62 37.0 2014 61 38.0 2013 61 38.0 2012 61 37.0 Judicial Constraints on the Executive Index
Judicial constraints on the executive index (0–1) · higher is better
TaiwanWorld median
Taiwan fell from 0.846 in 2000 to 0.794 in 2025; the world median went from 0.647 to 0.676.
Every year’s figures
Year Taiwan World median 2025 0.794 0.6760 2024 0.844 0.6645 2023 0.876 0.6590 2022 0.864 0.6600 2021 0.852 0.6580 2020 0.876 0.6645 2019 0.876 0.6560 2018 0.872 0.6485 2017 0.872 0.6550 2016 0.874 0.6520 2015 0.812 0.6700 2014 0.812 0.6515 2013 0.812 0.6550 2012 0.768 0.6750 2011 0.743 0.6680 2010 0.743 0.6640 2009 0.759 0.6580 2008 0.846 0.6590 2007 0.846 0.6630 2006 0.846 0.6590 2005 0.846 0.6580 2004 0.846 0.6480 2003 0.846 0.6480 2002 0.846 0.6470 2001 0.846 0.6530 2000 0.846 0.6465
03In context
Taiwan 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.
Taiwan and Eastern Asia
Taiwan has no land border, so the table compares it with its sub-region. 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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Japan | =10th | 2.041 | 90.99 | 71 | 0.881 |
 South Korea | =19th | 1.503 | 91.57 | 63 | 0.872 |
| Taiwan | 30th | 1.511 | — | 68 | 0.794 |
 Hong Kong | 36th | 1.539 | — | 76 | 0.579 |
 Mongolia | 88th | -0.206 | 83.73 | 31 | 0.718 |
 China | 125th | 0.624 | 57.93 | 43 | 0.03 |
 North Korea | =191st | -1.324 | — | 15 | 0.003 |
 Macau | not placed | 1.162 | — | — | — |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Eastern 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 Taiwan in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Taiwan is ahead of the world, and behind
29 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 median26
Statistics on which Taiwan does better than the middle country measured.
Rigorous and Impartial Public AdministrationV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.3333.2450.333▲ Improved since 2015
Taiwan: 3.245 · 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 6th of 176 · derived.
Global Indicators of Regulatory Governance ScoreWorld Bank Group · 2018 · world median 2.2552.25No earlier reading
Taiwan: 5 · 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.
State Fiscal Source of RevenueV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 1.1792.7371.179No real change since 2015
Taiwan: 2.737 · 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 9th of 176 · derived.
State Authority over TerritoryV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 95.310095.3▲ Improved since 2015
Taiwan: 100 · 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.
Bribery IncidenceWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 7.2690.177.269No earlier reading
Taiwan: 0.17 · 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 168th of 175 · derived, 1st = worst.
Equal Protection IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.6510.9220.651▲ Improved since 2015
Taiwan: 0.922 · 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 14th of 176 · derived.
Civic Space RatingsCIVICUS · 2025 · world median 50.4687.9250.46No earlier reading
Taiwan: 87.92 · 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 19th of 198 · derived.
Regulatory QualityWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median -0.0931.195-0.093No real change since 2015
Taiwan: 1.195 · 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 23rd of 209 · derived.
Control of CorruptionWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median -0.1971.183-0.197▲ Improved since 2015
Taiwan: 1.183 · 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 28th of 211 · derived.
Trade Union DensityILO · 2020 · world median 16.6832.2316.68No earlier reading
Taiwan: 32.23 · 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 19th of 139 · derived.
Rule of LawWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median -0.1021.201-0.102No real change since 2015
Taiwan: 1.201 · 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 30th of 211 · derived.
Meritocratic Appointment in the State AdministrationV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.3091.5360.309▼ Worsened since 2015
Taiwan: 1.536 · 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 28th of 176 · derived.
V-Dem Electoral Democracy IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.4970.8010.497▲ Improved since 2015
Taiwan: 0.801 · 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 28th of 176 · derived.
Government AI Readiness IndexOxford Insights · 2025 · world median 40.1964.8140.19▼ Worsened since 2021
Taiwan: 64.81 · 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 31st of 195 by Oxford Insights.
Liberal Democracy IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.3530.7040.353▲ Improved since 2015
Taiwan: 0.704 · 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 28th of 176 · derived.
Voice and AccountabilityWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median -0.0221.047-0.022▲ Improved since 2015
Taiwan: 1.047 · 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 35th of 206 · derived.
State Capacity IndexJonathan K. Hanson (University of Michigan) and Rachel Sigman (Naval Postgraduate School) · 2015 · world median 0.4871.4550.487▼ Worsened since 2005
Taiwan: 1.455 · 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 31st of 166 · derived.
Neopatrimonial Rule IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.4450.1440.445▲ Improved since 2015
Taiwan: 0.144 · 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 139th of 176 · derived, 1st = worst.
Women, Business and the LawWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 81.2591.2581.25▼ Worsened since 2015
Taiwan: 91.25 · 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 43rd of 190 · derived.
Political Corruption IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.5180.2140.518▲ Improved since 2015
Taiwan: 0.214 · 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 130th of 176 · derived, 1st = worst.
Firms Expecting to Make Informal Payments to Public OfficialsWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 6.4032.4316.403No earlier reading
Taiwan: 2.431 · 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 132nd of 178 · derived, 1st = worst.
Social Protection CoverageILO · 2025 · world median 52.178.452.1No earlier reading
Taiwan: 78.4 · 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.
Old-Age Pension CoverageILO · 2025 · world median 80.899.380.8No earlier reading
Taiwan: 99.3 · 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.
GovTech Maturity IndexWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 0.630.8050.63▲ Improved since 2022
Taiwan: 0.805 · 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 60th of 196 · derived.
Open Data InventoryOpen Data Watch · 2024 · world median 596659▲ Improved since 2016
Taiwan: 66 · 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 54th of 168 by Open Data Watch.
Disability Benefit CoverageILO · 2025 · world median 43.948.943.9No earlier reading
Taiwan: 48.9 · 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.
Behind the world median1
Statistics on which Taiwan does worse than the middle country measured.
Child and Family Benefit CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 23.7519.823.75No earlier reading
Taiwan: 19.8 · 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.
No better end2
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Senior Management Time Spent on Government RegulationWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 6.7956.8256.795No earlier reading
Taiwan: 6.825 · 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.
Central Bank Independence IndexAna Carolina Garriga, University of Essex · 2023 · world median 0.6080.2730.608Moved since 2013
Taiwan: 0.273 · 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.
No current reading for Taiwan
Agriculture Orientation Index, Business Ready: Operational Efficiency, Business Ready: Public Services, Business Ready: Regulatory Framework, Climate Readiness (ND-GAIN), Completeness of Birth Registration, Country Policy and Institutional Assessment, Debt Service on External Debt, External Debt Stocks (% of GNI), Foundational ID Ownership (last 2021), General Government Consumption, Government Funding per Primary Student, Government Spending on Education, Labour Inspectors per 10,000 Employed Persons, Public Sector Employment, Public Sector Wage Bill and Statistical Performance Indicators. 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 Taiwan’s 8 topics
Governance & Institutions is Taiwan’s 7th best-placed topic of 8. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Gender & Equality2nd of 1833/4 keys
- Peace & Securityjoint 7th of 1773/4 keys
- Mobility & Trade16th of 1773/4 keys
- Digital & Technology21st of 1984/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequalityjoint 19th of 1593/3 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties30th of 1984/4 keys
- Governance & Institutions30th of 1943/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainabilityjoint 143rd of 1862/4 keys
No standing on Economy & Innovation, Work & Labour, Education & Knowledge, Health & Wellbeing, Development & Human Capital, Risk & Resilience, Food & Agriculture, Energy: 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 Taiwan 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 keysThis page
Taiwan30th3/4 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 Taiwan and governance & institutions
08Questions
Taiwan 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 Taiwan rank on governance & institutions?
Taiwan is placed 30th of 194 countries on Governance & Institutions in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 4 key statistics (Government Effectiveness, 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 Taiwan?
1.511 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 Corruption Perceptions Index figure for Taiwan?
68 in 2025 (cPI score (0–100, where 100 is very clean)), according to Transparency International. The world median in the same edition was 39.
How have Taiwan’s governance & institutions figures changed?
Government Effectiveness rose from 0.951 in 2000 to 1.511 in 2025; Corruption Perceptions Index rose from 61 in 2012 to 68 in 2025; Judicial Constraints on the Executive Index fell from 0.846 in 2000 to 0.794 in 2025.
Which governance & institutions statistics are missing for Taiwan?
No current reading is published for Taiwan on Agriculture Orientation Index, Business Ready: Operational Efficiency, Business Ready: Public Services, Business Ready: Regulatory Framework, Climate Readiness (ND-GAIN), Completeness of Birth Registration, Country Policy and Institutional Assessment, 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, Public Sector Employment, Public Sector Wage Bill and Statistical Performance Indicators. 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 29 statistics on this page come from 8 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
Taiwan’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Taiwan (banner) — xiangyang17, CC BY-SA 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). Taiwan: Governance & Institutions — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/taiwan/governance