How do I judge whether a country is politically stable?

Political stability is not the same as quiet streets. It means the rules, institutions and transfers of power are predictable. A stable country can change governments without changing the rules that protect your property, savings and residency.

Start with the World Bank's Worldwide Governance Indicators. The 2026 update covers more than 200 economies from 1996 to 2025. It scores six areas, including Political Stability, Rule of Law and Control of Corruption.

Read the trend, not just the level. A middling score that is rising can matter more than a high score that keeps falling. The World Bank publishes each estimate with a margin of error, so small gaps between countries mean little.

Then check how limits on power work in practice. The World Justice Project Rule of Law Index 2025 covers 143 countries and jurisdictions. Its factor called Constraints on Government Powers shows whether checks on leaders actually hold.

Finally, match the data to your own exposure. A retiree with a pension and a home cares most about property rights and banking rules. A remote worker may care more about visas. The same country carries different risks for each.