BEIRUT - According to “Lebanon This Week” issued by Byblos Bank, Lebanon has regressed in general terms of ranking on five out of the six annual governance indicators of the World Bank. These indicators cover 212 countries and are rated on a scale of -2.5% to +2.5%.

In fact, taking the indicator that measures the competence of the bureaucracy and the quality of public service delivery entitled “Government Effectiveness”, Lebanon ranked 150th worldwide and 13th in the MENA region. Globally, it came ahead of Cuba and Pakistan and ranked behind Ukraine and Kenya, while regionally it came ahead of Iran and behind Algeria. However, it is important to note that Lebanon regressed by 16 spots globally and was unchanged in the region in 2007.

In addition, using the indicator that measures the likelihood of instability, domestic violence and terrorism named “Political Stability”, Lebanon ranked 201st worldwide and 18th in the MENA region. Globally, it came ahead of Cote d’Ivoire and behind Nigeria, while regionally it came ahead of Iraq and behind the West Bank and Gaza. Here, as well, Lebanon’s rank regressed, this time by 5 spots globally and by one notch regionally from the previous year.

Further, relying on the indicator that measures market-friendly policies and laws: “Regulatory Quality”, Lebanon ranked 109th globally and 11th in the MENA region. Globally, its rank regressed by 9 places ,coming ahead of Kenya and Honduras and behind Cape Verde, while its rank dropped by one spot regionally, coming ahead of Egypt and behind Morocco.

Likewise, based on an indicator of the extent that citizens have confidence in and abide by the rules of society named “Rule of Law category”, Lebanon ranked 148th globally and 14th in the MENA region. Globally, its ranking dropped by 21 places , coming ahead of Moldova and Mozambique and behind Nepal and Rwanda ,while regionally its rank regressed by two places ,coming ahead of Algeria and behind Libya.

To add up, based on the “Control of Corruption” indicator that measures the level of corruption, Lebanon ranked 142nd globally and 14th in the MENA region. Globally, it regressed by 9 spots, coming ahead of China and Nepal and behind Guyana and Dominican Republic, while it regressed by one place in the MENA region coming ahead of Algeria and behind Libya.

Finally, with the help of the “Voice and Accountability indicator”, the measure of a country’s citizens ability to participate in selecting their government, as well as freedom of expression, freedom of association, and a free media. Globally, it came ahead of Iraq and behind Comoros while it came ahead of Kuwait and behind Israel in the region. As opposed to the other indicators, Lebanon’s rank improved by 5 spots globally and by two notches regionally from the previous year.