🇬🇧United Kingdom Political Stability: 76.5/100

United Kingdom scores 76.5 out of 100 on the Political Stability Index, rated "Stable" based on World Bank 2023 Worldwide Governance Indicators across six governance dimensions.

Stable
Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution

Composite score is the unweighted average of six governance dimensions, each measured on a 0-100 percentile scale.

The United Kingdom covers approximately 94,354 square miles and includes England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. It is located between the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea, with the English Channel separating it from France. The UK has a temperate climate with cool temperatures and ample rainfall throughout the year, and its terrain features lowlands in the south and uplands in the north, including notable mountains like Ben Nevis and Scafell Pike.

As of the 2021 census, the United Kingdom has a population of approximately 67 million, making it the fourth-largest in Europe. The population is predominantly English-speaking, with 83% identifying as white, while ethnic diversity is more pronounced in urban areas like London. The median age is around 41.7 years, and the country has a rich history of immigration contributing to its cultural diversity.

Governance Indicators

Regulatory Quality85/100
Control of Corruption84/100
Rule of Law83/100
Voice & Accountability81/100
Government Effectiveness75/100
Political Stability51/100

Governance Profile: United Kingdom

World Bank governance: rule of law 83rd percentile, corruption control 84th percentile, political stability 51st percentile.

United Kingdom's strongest governance dimension is Regulatory Quality at 85/100, placing it in the top quartile globally. This suggests the government can formulate and implement sound regulations that support private sector development.

The weakest dimension is Political Stability at 51/100. Political instability concerns may affect the overall security environment and long-term predictability.

A notable 34-point gap between Regulatory Quality and Political Stability reveals uneven governance. Some institutions function well while others lag significantly. Travelers should be aware that the quality of government services and protections may vary depending on the context.

Travelers to United Kingdom benefit from functional government institutions and reasonable regulatory frameworks. While not without challenges, the overall governance environment supports a manageable travel experience with adequate infrastructure and legal protections.

The U.S. State Department currently rates United Kingdom as Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution). This aligns with a governance profile that, while not without challenges, provides a baseline of institutional functioning.

EU Governance Comparison

Top governance performers in EU based on the corruption composite ranking (weighted: 60% corruption control, 25% rule of law, 15% government effectiveness).

CountryScore
🇩🇰Denmark96.6
🇫🇮Finland95.2
🇳🇴Norway93.9
🇨🇭Switzerland93.8
🇱🇺Luxembourg92.9
🇬🇧United Kingdom82.4

Common Questions About United Kingdom's Political Stability

What is United Kingdom's political stability score?+
United Kingdom has a composite political stability score of 76.5 out of 100, placing it in the "Stable" category. This score is the average of six World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators for 2023: Voice & Accountability, Political Stability, Government Effectiveness, Regulatory Quality, Rule of Law, and Control of Corruption.
What do the World Bank governance indicators measure?+
The six indicators come from the World Bank's Worldwide Governance Indicators (WGI) project. Each measures a different dimension of governance on a 0-100 percentile scale. Voice & Accountability captures perceptions of citizen participation and media freedom. Political Stability measures the likelihood of political instability or violence. Government Effectiveness assesses the quality of public services and policy implementation. Regulatory Quality evaluates the government's ability to formulate sound policies. Rule of Law captures confidence in contract enforcement, property rights, and courts. Control of Corruption measures the extent to which public power is exercised for private gain.
How does United Kingdom's stability affect travel safety?+
Governance indicators provide context beyond traditional travel advisories. United Kingdom's strongest area is Regulatory Quality (85/100) and its weakest is Political Stability (51/100). Strong governance generally correlates with reliable infrastructure, transparent regulations, and effective emergency services.
How does United Kingdom compare to other countries in EU?+
Within EU, United Kingdom ranks among 6 peer countries with available governance data. Its composite score of 76.5/100 places it in the lower half of the regional ranking.
When was this data last updated?+
The governance data on this page is from the World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators 2023 dataset. The WGI project publishes annual updates covering over 200 countries. This page is refreshed every six hours to incorporate any new data from our sources.

More United Kingdom Data

United Kingdom Travel Advisory

Safety ratings, regional breakdown, and entry requirements.

United Kingdom Freedom Score

Free — 91/100 on the Freedom House index.

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Official State Dept. Page →

Read the full advisory on travel.state.gov.

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Access this data programmatically. Free tier available.

Travel Risk Reports

On-demand country risk PDFs from 6 government sources.