South Africa’s governance crisis has been laid bare in the latest Chandler Good Government Index (CGGI) 2025. The annual study measures how effectively governments deliver for their people, and this year’s findings show South Africa slipping further down the ranks.
Out of 120 countries assessed, the country ranked 77th, with a score of 0.461, well below the global average and significantly behind many of its peers.
The index evaluates governments across seven pillars, from leadership and financial management to safety, education, and global influence.
New study paints a bleak picture
- Leadership & Foresight: South Africa ranked 73rd overall, showing poor adaptability (84th) and weak long-term vision (73rd). Innovation was the only bright spot at 41st.
- Robust Laws & Policies: While transparency (22nd) and quality of judiciary (34th) scored relatively high, regulatory governance ranked a lowly 76th, dragging the pillar down.
- Strong Institutions: Coordination and implementation remain weak at 71st and 67th, respectively, reflecting ongoing inefficiencies across government structures.
- Financial Stewardship: One of the country’s worst categories. South Africa ranked 99th overall, with disastrous results in spending efficiency (116th) and country budget surplus (96th).
- Attractive Marketplace: Despite relatively stable property rights (45th) and logistics (17th), poor performance in investment attraction (76th) and stable regulations (75th) highlight a hostile business environment.
- Global Influence & Reputation: South Africa ranked mid-tier at 54th, boosted by nation brand (18th), but let down by weak diplomacy (74th).
- Helping People Rise: The most damning results came here. South Africa ranked 113th overall, with abysmal scores in employment (120th), personal safety (120th), and income distribution (119th). Education (113th) and health (78th) also show systemic failure to improve living standards.
What it means
The data reveals a country struggling not just with economic stagnation but with core governance breakdowns.
While South Africa maintains some institutional strengths, such as judicial quality and international brand recognition, the government is failing in the areas that matter most to ordinary citizens: jobs, safety, education, and equality.
