1.1. Contact organisation
Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union
1.2. Contact organisation unit
E2: Environmental statistics and accounts; sustainable development
1.3. Contact name
Confidential because of GDPR
1.4. Contact person function
Confidential because of GDPR
1.5. Contact mail address
e-mail contact : ESTAT-SDG-MONITORING@ec.europa.eu
1.6. Contact email address
Confidential because of GDPR
1.7. Contact phone number
Confidential because of GDPR
1.8. Contact fax number
Confidential because of GDPR
2.1. Metadata last certified
12 March 20252.2. Metadata last posted
29 May 20242.3. Metadata last update
12 March 2025The indicator is part of the EU Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) indicator set. It is used to monitor progress towards SDG 16 on peace, justice and strong institutions, which is embedded in the European Commission’s Priorities under ‘A new era for European Defence and Security’ and ‘Protecting our democracy, upholding our values’.
The SDG 16 calls for peaceful and inclusive societies based on respect for human rights, protection of the most vulnerable, the rule of law and good governance at all levels. It also envisions transparent, effective and accountable institutions, which promote non-discriminatory laws and policies, combat corruption, bribery and organised crime and prevent violence, terrorism and crime.
In addition to sufficient financial resources, judges in law courts need to be able to make decisions without interference or pressure from policy or other economic actors, to ensure that individuals and businesses can fully enjoy their rights. Respect for the rule of law is a prerequisite for the protection of all fundamental values listed in the EU Treaties, including democracy and fundamental rights. Improving the effectiveness of justice systems in Member States has been identified as a key component for structural reforms in the European Semester. The Rule of Law Report assesses the situation of Member States’ justice systems and the EU Justice Scoreboard complements it by monitoring the efficiency, quality and independence of Member States’ justice systems.
4.1. Data description
The indicator is designed to explore respondents’ perceptions about the independence of the judiciary across EU Member States, looking specifically at the perceived independence of the courts and judges in a country. Data on the perceived independence of the justice system stem from annual Flash Eurobarometer surveys starting in 2016 on behalf of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers. In this survey, respondents are asked to answer the following question: “From what you know, how would you rate the justice system in (THIS COUNTRY) in terms of the independence of courts and judges? Would you say it is very good, fairly good, fairly bad or very bad?”
4.2. Unit of measure
% of population
4.3. Reference Period
Calendar year
4.4. Accuracy - overall
Indicator from non-ESS source. For assessment of accuracy please refer to the original source (see link to external data source and metadata in “Annexes”)
4.5. Source data
4.5.1. Source data - Organisation
European Commission - Directorate-General for Communication
4.5.2. Source data - Comment
Flash Eurobarometer Survey on behalf of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers
5.1. Frequency of dissemination
5.1.1. Frequency of dissemination - Grade
Every year5.1.2. Frequency of dissemination - Comment
Indicator is updated annually.
5.2. Timeliness
5.2.1. Timeliness - Grade
T+1 year5.2.2. Timeliness - Comment
New data points are disseminated within one year after the reference year.
6.1. Reference area
6.1.1. Reference Area - Grade
All EU MS6.1.2. Reference Area - Comment
Data are presented for all EU Member States plus the United Kingdom (until 2020).
6.2. Comparability - geographical
6.2.1. Comparability - geographical - Grade
All EU MS6.2.2. Comparability - geographical - Comment
Data comparable between all EU Member States respectively other presented countries.
6.3. Coverage - Time
6.3.1. Time Coverage - Grade
5 to 10 years6.3.2. Time Coverage - Comment
Presented time series (including EU aggregates) starts in 2016.
6.4. Comparability - over time
6.4.1. Comparability - over time - Grade
3 to 4 data points6.4.2. Comparability - over time - Comment
Length of comparable time series without methodological breaks is 4 data points.
7.1. Dissemination format - Publications
Analysis of indicator is presented in Eurostat's annual monitoring report on Sustainable development in the EU (progress towards the SDGs in an EU context).
7.2. Dissemination format - online database
See table sdg_16_40
7.3. Dissemination format - other
Eurostat dedicated section on SDGs: Eurostat overview.
Copyrights: Eurostat Copyright/Licence Policy is applicable.
