EU Members Face Downgrade on
World Economics Governance Index


 
On the World Economics Governance Index, the ratings of 23 out of 27 EU members declined over the last decade. This reflects worsening scores across data reflecting corruption, rule of law, press freedom and political rights.

Largest Declines in Governance in the EU 2015-2025
Index: 0-100. 0=Poor, 100=As good as it gets

Country

 

 

 

 

 

 

2015

 

2025

 

Decline

Malta

 

 

 

 

 

 

78.9

 

65.0

 

-13.9

Poland

 

 

 

 

 

 

81.0

 

68.9

 

-12.1

Cyprus

 

 

 

 

 

 

79.9

 

68.2

 

-11.7

Hungary

 

 

 

 

 

 

66.1

 

56.1

 

-10.0

Austria

 

 

 

 

 

 

91.9

 

84.7

 

-7.2

Country

2015

2025

Decline

Malta

78.9

65.0

-13.9

Poland

81.0

68.9

-12.1

Cyprus

79.9

68.2

-11.7

Hungary

66.1

56.1

-10.0

Austria

91.9

84.7

-7.2
Source: World Economics Governance Index, 2025




Most EU members, however, retained reasonably high and stable Governance characteristics. The exceptions are Malta, Poland, Cyprus and Hungary. All saw sharp declines over the last decade. More remarkably, Malta, Cyprus and Poland were all consequently downgraded to B-grade on the Index. Austria experienced a similar rating decline, but it was not downgraded due to its already strong Governance rating in 2015.

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