South Africa Ranks 85th in Government Index
The 2026 Chandler Good Government Index assesses South Africa’s national governance against 132 other countries.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Africa
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South Africa holds the 85th position out of 133 countries in the 2026 Chandler Good Government Index. Within Africa, the nation ranks sixth among the 35 countries assessed in this year’s evaluation.
Why it matters
The index evaluates government capabilities and institutional effectiveness through 35 indicators across seven distinct pillars. These rankings offer insight into how the country performs on a global scale regarding policy robustness and market attractiveness.
South Africa ranks 44th globally in the Robust Laws & Policies pillar and 48th in the Attractive Marketplace pillar. While it remains a top-tier performer in the region, 71% of all African countries assessed saw improvements in their overall scores this year.
The players
Chandler Good Government Index
This annual index assesses the capabilities and effectiveness of governments worldwide through 35 weighted indicators.
The details
The report, which now covers 133 countries after seven new African nations joined in 2026, measures success across varied metrics. South Africa’s standing in the Attractive Marketplace category has shifted since 2021, when the nation held the 66th position.
Timeline
The index launched in 2021.
In 2025, the index assessed 120 countries.
The 2026 report evaluated 133 countries.
Travel Outlook
The Chandler Good Government Index provides a framework for measuring national efficiency, and this report shows where South Africa fits into that global hierarchy. This data aligns with broader trends in regional governance as 71% of African nations show measurable progress in index scores.
Understanding national institutional health can provide travellers and business visitors with a baseline for expected stability and regulatory environment. Monitoring these indices helps stakeholders anticipate shifts in the local marketplace or legislative landscape during their visit.
The takeaway
Governance indices serve as a barometer for how nations manage resources and policy frameworks in an increasingly competitive global environment. Stakeholders should review these metrics to understand the shifting landscape of institutional performance across the continent.
Further reading
For more on regional trends, explore the Africa section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by IT-Online.
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