Cambodia Ranks 140th of 143 in the 2026 WJP Rule of Law Index

• 140th of 143. Cambodia ranks fourth from the bottom in the World Justice Project's 2026 Rule of Law Index.
• Overall score of 0.31 out of 1. It has been unchanged since 2022. It stood at 0.35 in 2015.
• One place gained. The country was 141st in 2025. Its published score hasn't moved: the difference comes down to rounding at two decimal places.
• Civil and criminal justice at 0.26 each. These are the two weakest factors cited in the study. The strongest is "Order and Security" at 0.64, yet the country ranks only 103rd on it.
• Last in the region. Cambodia is 15th out of 15 in East Asia and Pacific, far behind Singapore (0.79) and Thailand and Vietnam (0.50 each).

The ranking is part of an annual series. Here are the milestones that help put it in context.

1. 2015: Cambodia scores 0.35, its best level in the comparison cited.
2. 2021: The Ministry of Justice disputes that year's edition. Its spokesperson Chin Malin argues that the index did not take enough account of the Covid-19 context.
3. Since 2022: The overall score has stayed at 0.31 in every edition.
4. 2025: Cambodia is ranked 141st.
5. October 21, 2026: The World Justice Project publishes the 2026 edition. Cambodia is 140th of 143.
6. October 27, 2026: Cambodia Investment Review comments on the results from a business and investor perspective.

Two angles help in reading the ranking: the index's factors, then the regional comparison. Scores are on a scale of 0 to 1.

Worth noting: Haiti and Afghanistan also score 0.31. Nicaragua scores 0.32. The index measures perceptions and experiences, not investment performance or the outcome of any specific dispute.

• A written contract becomes your best protection. A civil justice score of 0.26 is a reason to formalize everything: lease, share purchase, personal loan, employment contract.
• Dispute resolution takes forward planning. The index highlights how accessible, fast and predictable remedies are. It's better to decide on a resolution method at the time of signing.
• Everyday safety is a stronger point. With 0.64 in order and security, the country stands out on this factor. That said, it doesn't reflect the quality of the judicial system.
• Business projects deserve extra checks. If you're opening a restaurant, a guesthouse or a service company, due diligence on your partner and on the property should be second nature.
• The rank is not a verdict on you individually. The World Justice Project relies on surveys of households, legal practitioners and experts. It provides a comparative indicator, not a judgment on your particular case.

1. Step 1: Insist on a written contract for every commitment: lease, purchase, partnership, service agreement. Keep a signed version in a language you command, or a certified translation.
2. Step 2: Include an arbitration clause specifying the body, the seat and the language of the proceedings. Have a lawyer review the clause before you sign.
3. Step 3: Do your due diligence before paying: the identity and status of the landlord or seller, the property title, the legal existence of the company.
4. Step 4: Stagger payments and keep proof: receipts, bank transfers, written exchanges. Avoid large cash payments without a receipt.
5. Step 5: For a lease, check the term, renewal conditions, security deposit and exit terms. Do a dated inventory of the property's condition with photos.
6. Step 6: Consult a reputable local lawyer or adviser before any significant investment. Compare several opinions rather than relying on a single recommendation.
7. Step 7: Keep a complete file, on paper and digital: passport, visa, contracts, proof of payment, correspondence. It will serve you in the event of a disagreement.