Developmentrelevance: Efficient contract enforcement is essential to economic development and sustained growth. Economic and social progress cannot be achieved without respect for the rule of law and effective protection of rights, both of which require a well-functioning judiciary that resolves cases in a reasonable time and is predictable and accessible to the public. Economies with a more efficient judiciary, in which courts can effectively enforce contractual obligations, have more developed credit markets and a higher level of development overall. A stronger judiciary is also associated with more rapid growth of small firms. Overall, enhancing the efficiency of the judicial system can improve the business climate, foster innovation, attract foreign direct investment and secure tax revenues.

IndicatorName: Alternative dispute resolution (0-3) (DB17-20 methodology)

Limitationsandexceptions: The Doing Business methodology has five limitations that should be considered when interpreting the data. First, for most economies the collected data refer to businesses in the largest business city and may not be representative of regulation in other parts of the economy. Second, the data often focus on a specific business form—generally a limited liability company (or its legal equivalent) of a specified size—and may not be representative of the regulation on other businesses. Third, transactions described in a standardized case scenario refer to a specific set of issues and may not represent the full set of issues that a business encounters. Fourth, the measures of time involve an element of judgment by the expert respondents. When sources indicate different estimates, the time indicators reported in Doing Business represent the median values of several responses given under the assumptions of the standardized case. Finally, the methodology assumes that a business has full information on what is required and does not waste time when completing procedures. In practice, completing a procedure may take longer if the business lacks information or is unable to follow up promptly. Alternatively, the business may choose to disregard some burdensome procedures. For both reasons the time delays reported in Doing Business would differ from the recollection of entrepreneurs reported in the World Bank Group Enterprise questionnaires or other firm-level questionnaires.

Longdefinition: The alternative dispute resolution evaluates two aspects: (i) whether domestic commercial arbitration is regulated by law, all disputes can be submitted to arbitration and valid arbitration clauses are usually enforced by courts; and (ii) whether voluntary mediation and/or conciliation are a recognized way of resolving commercial disputes, they are regulated by law and there are financial incentives for parties to attempt mediation of conciliation. The index is computed based on the methodology in the DB17-20 studies.

Periodicity: Annual

Referenceperiod: Data are presented for the survey year instead of publication year.

Source: World Bank Group, Doing Business project (http://www.doingbusiness.org/).

Statisticalconceptandmethodology:
Data are collected by the World Bank Group with a standardized questionnaire that uses a simple business case to ensure comparability across economies and over time—with assumptions about the legal form of the business, its size, its location and nature of its operation. Questionnaires are administered to more than 13,800 local experts, including lawyers, business consultants, accountants, freight forwarders, government officials and other professionals routinely administering or advising on legal and regulatory requirements.

The Doing Business data are based on a detailed reading of domestic laws, regulations and administrative requirements as well as their implementation in practice as experienced by private firms. The report covers 190 economies—including some of the smallest and poorest economies, for which little or no data are available from other sources. The data are collected through several rounds of communication with expert respondents (both private sector practitioners and government officials), through responses to questionnaires, conference calls, written correspondence and visits by the team. Doing Business relies on four main sources of information: the relevant laws and regulations, Doing Business respondents, the governments of the economies covered and the World Bank Group regional staff.

Topic: Enforcing contracts

name: Enforcing contracts: Alternative dispute resolution (0-3) (DB16-20 methodology)

value: Doing Business


sourceNote: The alternative dispute resolution evaluates two aspects: (i) whether domestic commercial arbitration is regulated by law, all disputes can be submitted to arbitration and valid arbitration clauses are usually enforced by courts; and (ii) whether voluntary mediation and/or conciliation are a recognized way of resolving commercial disputes, they are regulated by law and there are financial incentives for parties to attempt mediation of conciliation. The index is computed based on the methodology in the DB17-20 studies.


IndicatorName: Attorney fees (% of claim)

Longdefinition: The attorney fees are the fees that plaintiff must advance to a local attorney in the standardized case, regardless of final reimbursement.

name: Enforcing contracts: Attorney fees (% of claim)


sourceNote: The attorney fees are the fees that plaintiff must advance to a local attorney in the standardized case, regardless of final reimbursement.


Enforcing contracts: Cost (% of claim)

IndicatorName: Cost (% of claim)

Longdefinition: The cost to enforce contracts is recorded as a percentage of the claim value, assumed to be equivalent to 200% of income per capita or $5,000, whichever is greater. Three types of costs are recorded: average attorney fees, court costs and enforcement costs. Bribes are not taken into account.


sourceNote: The cost to enforce contracts is recorded as a percentage of the claim value, assumed to be equivalent to 200% of income per capita or $5,000, whichever is greater. Three types of costs are recorded: average attorney fees, court costs and enforcement costs. Bribes are not taken into account.


IndicatorName: Score-Cost (% of claim)

Longdefinition: The score for cost to enforce contracts benchmarks economies with respect to the regulatory best practice on the indicator. The score is indicated on a scale from 0 to 100, where 0 represents the worst regulatory performance and 100 the best regulatory performance.

name: Enforcing contracts: Cost (% of claim) - Score


sourceNote: The score for cost to enforce contracts benchmarks economies with respect to the regulatory best practice on the indicator. The score is indicated on a scale from 0 to 100, where 0 represents the worst regulatory performance and 100 the best regulatory performance.


IndicatorName: Case management (0-6) (DB17-20 methodology)

Longdefinition: The case management evaluates six aspects of the court case management system: (i) whether there are regulations setting time standards for key court events; (ii) whether there are regulations on adjournments and continuances; (iii) whether performance measurement reports are publicly available; (iv) whether a pretrial conference is available; (v) whether an electronic case management system for judges is available; and (vi) whether an electronic case management system for lawyers is available. The index is computed based on the methodology in the DB17-20 studies.

name: Enforcing contracts: Case management (0-6) (DB16-20 methodology)


sourceNote: The case management evaluates six aspects of the court case management system: (i) whether there are regulations setting time standards for key court events; (ii) whether there are regulations on adjournments and continuances; (iii) whether performance measurement reports are publicly available; (iv) whether a pretrial conference is available; (v) whether an electronic case management system for judges is available; and (vi) whether an electronic case management system for lawyers is available. The index is computed based on the methodology in the DB17-20 studies.


Longdefinition: The court automation evaluates four aspects: (i) whether the initial complaint can be filed electronically; (ii) whether the initial complaint can be served electronically; (iii) whether court fees can be paid electronically; and (iv) whether judgments rendered in commercial matters are made available to the public. The index is computed based on the methodology in the DB17-20 studies.

name: Enforcing contracts: Court automation (0-4) (DB17-20 methodology)


IndicatorName: Court automation (0-4) (DB17-20 methodology)

sourceNote: The court automation evaluates four aspects: (i) whether the initial complaint can be filed electronically; (ii) whether the initial complaint can be served electronically; (iii) whether court fees can be paid electronically; and (iv) whether judgments rendered in commercial matters are made available to the public. The index is computed based on the methodology in the DB17-20 studies.


IndicatorName: Court fees (% of claim)

Longdefinition: The court fees include all costs that plaintiff must advance to the court, regardless of the final cost borne by plaintiff. Court costs include the fees that the parties must pay to obtain an expert opinion, regardless of whether they are paid to the court or to the expert directly.

name: Enforcing contracts: Court fees (% of claim)


sourceNote: The court fees include all costs that plaintiff must advance to the court, regardless of the final cost borne by plaintiff. Court costs include the fees that the parties must pay to obtain an expert opinion, regardless of whether they are paid to the court or to the expert directly.


Longdefinition: The court structure and proceedings evaluates five aspects of the court system: (i) whether a specialized commercial court, division or section is available; (ii) whether a small claims court and/or simplified procedure for small claims is available; (iii) whether pretrial attachment of defendant's movable assets is available; (iv) whether new cases are assigned randomly and through an automated system to judges; and (v) whether a woman’s testimony in court carries the same evidentiary weight as that of a man's. The index is computed based on the methodology in the DB17-20 studies.

name: Enforcing contracts: Court structure and proceedings (0-5) (DB17-20 methodology)


IndicatorName: Court structure and proceedings (0-5) (DB17-20 methodology)

sourceNote: The court structure and proceedings evaluates five aspects of the court system: (i) whether a specialized commercial court, division or section is available; (ii) whether a small claims court and/or simplified procedure for small claims is available; (iii) whether pretrial attachment of defendant's movable assets is available; (iv) whether new cases are assigned randomly and through an automated system to judges; and (v) whether a woman’s testimony in court carries the same evidentiary weight as that of a man's. The index is computed based on the methodology in the DB17-20 studies.


IndicatorName: Score-Enforcing contracts (DB04-15 methodology)

Longdefinition: The score for enforcing contracts is the simple average of the scores for each of the component indicators: the procedures, time and cost for resolving a commercial dispute through a local first-instance court. The score is computed based on the methodology in the DB04-15 studies.

name: Enforcing contracts (DB04-15 methodology) - Score


sourceNote: The score for enforcing contracts is the simple average of the scores for each of the component indicators: the procedures, time and cost for resolving a commercial dispute through a local first-instance court. The score is computed based on the methodology in the DB04-15 studies.


IndicatorName: Score-Enforcing contracts (DB17-20 methodology)

Longdefinition: The score for enforcing contracts is the simple average of the scores for each of the component indicators: the time and cost for resolving a commercial dispute through a local first-instance court, as well as the quality of judicial processes that promotes quality and efficiency in the court system. The score is computed based on the methodology in the DB17-20 studies.

name: Enforcing contracts (DB17-20 methodology) - Score


sourceNote: The score for enforcing contracts is the simple average of the scores for each of the component indicators: the time and cost for resolving a commercial dispute through a local first-instance court, as well as the quality of judicial processes that promotes quality and efficiency in the court system. The score is computed based on the methodology in the DB17-20 studies.


IndicatorName: Enforcement fees (% of claim)

Longdefinition: The enforcement fees are all costs that plaintiff must advance to enforce the judgment through a public sale of defendant’s movable assets, regardless of the final cost borne by plaintiff.

name: Enforcing contracts: Enforcement fees (% of claim)


sourceNote: The enforcement fees are all costs that plaintiff must advance to enforce the judgment through a public sale of defendant’s movable assets, regardless of the final cost borne by plaintiff.


IndicatorName: Enforcement of judgment (days)

Longdefinition: The time for enforcement of judgment captures the time from the moment the time to appeal has elapsed until the money is recovered by the winning party.

name: Enforcing contracts: Enforcement of judgment (days)


sourceNote: The time for enforcement of judgment captures the time from the moment the time to appeal has elapsed until the money is recovered by the winning party.


IndicatorName: Filing and service (days)

Longdefinition: The time for filing and service captures the time from the moment plaintiff decides to sue until defendant is served.

name: Enforcing contracts: Filing and service (days)


sourceNote: The time for filing and service captures the time from the moment plaintiff decides to sue until defendant is served.


IndicatorName: Procedures (number) (DB04-15 methodology)

Longdefinition: The procedures to enforce contracts records the list of procedural steps compiled for each economy that traces the chronology of a commercial dispute before the relevant court. A procedure is defined as any interaction, required by law or commonly carried out in practice, between the parties or between them and the judge or court officer. The component indicator is computed based on the methodology in the DB04-15 studies.

name: Enforcing contracts: Procedures (number)


sourceNote: The procedures to enforce contracts records the list of procedural steps compiled for each economy that traces the chronology of a commercial dispute before the relevant court. A procedure is defined as any interaction, required by law or commonly carried out in practice, between the parties or between them and the judge or court officer. The component indicator is computed based on the methodology in the DB04-15 studies.


IndicatorName: Score-Procedures (number) (DB04-15 methodology)

Longdefinition: The score for procedures to enforce contracts benchmarks economies with respect to the regulatory best practice on the indicator. The score is indicated on a scale from 0 to 100, where 0 represents the worst regulatory performance and 100 the best regulatory performance, and is computed based on the methodology in the DB04-15 studies.

name: Enforcing contracts: Procedures (number) - Score


sourceNote: The score for procedures to enforce contracts benchmarks economies with respect to the regulatory best practice on the indicator. The score is indicated on a scale from 0 to 100, where 0 represents the worst regulatory performance and 100 the best regulatory performance, and is computed based on the methodology in the DB04-15 studies.


IndicatorName: Score-Quality of judicial processes index (0-18) (DB17-20 methodology)

Longdefinition: The score for quality of judicial processes index benchmarks economies with respect to the regulatory best practice on the indicator. The score is indicated on a scale from 0 to 100, where 0 represents the worst regulatory performance and 100 the best regulatory performance, and is computed based on the methodology in the DB17-20 studies.

name: Enforcing contracts: Quality of the judicial processes index (0-19) (DB17-20 methodology) - Score


sourceNote: The score for quality of judicial processes index benchmarks economies with respect to the regulatory best practice on the indicator. The score is indicated on a scale from 0 to 100, where 0 represents the worst regulatory performance and 100 the best regulatory performance, and is computed based on the methodology in the DB17-20 studies.


IndicatorName: Quality of judicial processes index (0-18) (DB17-20 methodology)

Longdefinition: The quality of judicial processes index is the sum of the court structure and proceedings, case management, court automation and alternative dispute resolution. The index is computed based on the methodology in the DB17-20 studies.

name: Enforcing contracts: Quality of the judicial processes index (0-18) (DB17-20 methodology)


sourceNote: The quality of judicial processes index is the sum of the court structure and proceedings, case management, court automation and alternative dispute resolution. The index is computed based on the methodology in the DB17-20 studies.


IndicatorName: Rank-Enforcing contracts

Longdefinition: The ranking of economies on the ease of enforcing contracts is determined by sorting their scores for enforcing contracts.

Referenceperiod: Data are presented for the survey year instead of publication year. The country ranking is only available for the latest year.

name: Rank: Enforcing contracts (1=most business-friendly regulations)


sourceNote: The ranking of economies on the ease of enforcing contracts is determined by sorting their scores for enforcing contracts.


IndicatorName: Trial and judgment (days)

Longdefinition: The time for trial and judgment captures the time from the moment defendant is served until the time to appeal has elapsed.

name: Enforcing contracts: Trial and judgment (days)


sourceNote: The time for trial and judgment captures the time from the moment defendant is served until the time to appeal has elapsed.


Enforcing contracts: Time (days)

sourceNote: The time to enforce contracts is recorded in calendar days, counted from the moment plaintiff decides to file the lawsuit in court until payment. The average duration of the following three different stages of dispute resolution is recorded: (i) filing and service, (ii) trial and judgment, and (iii) enforcement.


name: Enforcing contracts: Time (days) - Score

sourceNote: The score for time to enforce contracts benchmarks economies with respect to the regulatory best practice on the indicator. The score is indicated on a scale from 0 to 100, where 0 represents the worst regulatory performance and 100 the best regulatory performance.


Developmentrelevance: Good rules create an environment where new entrants with drive and innovative ideas can get started in business and where productive firms can invest, expand and create new jobs. The role of government policy in the daily operations of small and medium-size domestic firms is a central focus of the Doing Business data. The objective is to encourage regulation that is efficient, transparent and easy to implement so that businesses can thrive and promote economic freedom and social progress. Doing Business data focus on the 10 areas of regulation affecting small and medium-size domestic firms in the largest business city of an economy. The project uses standardized case studies to provide objective, quantitative measures that can be compared across 190 economies.

Longdefinition: The ease of doing business score is the simple average of the scores for each of the Doing Business topics: starting a business, dealing with construction permits, getting electricity, registering property, getting credit, protecting minority investors, paying taxes, trading across borders, enforcing contracts and resolving insolvency. The score is computed based on the methodology in the DB10-14 studies for topics that underwent methodology updates.

Topic: Ease of doing business

name: Global: Ease of doing business score (DB10-14 methodology)


IndicatorName: Ease of doing business score (DB10-14 methodology)

sourceNote: The ease of doing business score is the simple average of the scores for each of the Doing Business topics: starting a business, dealing with construction permits, getting electricity, registering property, getting credit, protecting minority investors, paying taxes, trading across borders, enforcing contracts and resolving insolvency. The score is computed based on the methodology in the DB10-14 studies for topics that underwent methodology updates.


Longdefinition: The ease of doing business score is the simple average of the scores for each of the Doing Business topics: starting a business, dealing with construction permits, getting electricity, registering property, getting credit, protecting minority investors, paying taxes, trading across borders, enforcing contracts and resolving insolvency. The score is computed based on the methodology in the DB15 studies for topics that underwent methodology updates.

name: Global: Ease of doing business score (DB15 methodology)


IndicatorName: Ease of doing business score (DB15 methodology)

sourceNote: The ease of doing business score is the simple average of the scores for each of the Doing Business topics: starting a business, dealing with construction permits, getting electricity, registering property, getting credit, protecting minority investors, paying taxes, trading across borders, enforcing contracts and resolving insolvency. The score is computed based on the methodology in the DB15 studies for topics that underwent methodology updates.


Longdefinition: The ease of doing business score is the simple average of the scores for each of the Doing Business topics: starting a business, dealing with construction permits, getting electricity, registering property, getting credit, protecting minority investors, paying taxes, trading across borders, enforcing contracts and resolving insolvency. The score is computed based on the methodology in the DB17-20 studies for topics that underwent methodology updates.

name: Global: Ease of doing business score (DB17-20 methodology)


IndicatorName: Ease of doing business score (DB17-20 methodology)

sourceNote: The ease of doing business score is the simple average of the scores for each of the Doing Business topics: starting a business, dealing with construction permits, getting electricity, registering property, getting credit, protecting minority investors, paying taxes, trading across borders, enforcing contracts and resolving insolvency. The score is computed based on the methodology in the DB17-20 studies for topics that underwent methodology updates.


IndicatorName: Ease of Doing Business rank

Longdefinition: The ease of doing business ranking ranges from 1 to 190. The ranking of economies is determined by sorting the aggregate ease of doing business scores.

name: Ease of doing business rank (1=most business-friendly regulations)

value: World Development Indicators

sourceNote: Ease of doing business ranks economies from 1 to 190, with first place being the best. The ranking of economies is determined by sorting the aggregate ease of doing business scores. A high ranking (a low numerical rank) means that the regulatory environment is conducive to business operation.

sourceOrganization: World Bank, Doing Business project (http://www.doingbusiness.org/). NOTE: Doing Business has been discontinued as of 9/16/2021. For more information: https://bit.ly/3CLCbme

value: Climate Change

value: Private Sector


name: Fragile and conflict affected situations


name: Middle East & North Africa (excluding high income)


name: Latin America & Caribbean (excluding high income)


name: Least developed countries: UN classification


name: Middle East & North Africa (IDA & IBRD countries)


name: Sub-Saharan Africa (excluding high income)


name: East Asia & Pacific (IDA & IBRD countries)


name: East Asia & Pacific (excluding high income)


name: Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries)


name: Europe & Central Asia (excluding high income)


name: Europe & Central Asia (IDA & IBRD countries)


name: Latin America & the Caribbean (IDA & IBRD countries)


Developmentrelevance: Good construction regulation matters for public safety since sound regulation of construction helps protect the public from faulty building practices. Efficient construction permitting and inspection systems can indeed strengthen property rights and contribute to the process of capital formation. If procedures are too complicated or too costly, builders are more likely to proceed without a permit, especially in developing economies. And because the construction permitting process generally involves licensing requirements from several different agencies, those seeking permits are exposed to different bureaucracies, which creates opportunities for rent-seeking. Overly complicated or costly construction rules can also increase opportunities for corruption.

Longdefinition: The liability and insurance regimes index evaluates the stringency of latent defect liability and insurance regimes. It has two components: (i) whether any parties involved in the construction process are held legally liable for latent defects such as structural flaws or problems in the building once it is in use; (ii) whether any party involved in the construction process is legally required to obtain a latent defect liability or decennial (10 years) liability insurance policy to cover possible structural flaws or problems in the building once it is in use. The index is computed based on the methodology in the DB16-20 studies.

Topic: Dealing with construction permits

name: Dealing with construction permits: Liability and insurance regimes index (0-2) (DB16-20 methodology)


IndicatorName: Liability and insurance regimes index (0-2) (DB16-20 methodology)

sourceNote: The liability and insurance regimes index evaluates the stringency of latent defect liability and insurance regimes. It has two components: (i) whether any parties involved in the construction process are held legally liable for latent defects such as structural flaws or problems in the building once it is in use; (ii) whether any party involved in the construction process is legally required to obtain a latent defect liability or decennial (10 years) liability insurance policy to cover possible structural flaws or problems in the building once it is in use. The index is computed based on the methodology in the DB16-20 studies.


Longdefinition: The professional certifications index evaluates professional certi?cation requirements. It has two components: (i) the qualification requirements of the professional responsible for verifying that the architectural plans or drawings are in compliance with the building regulations; and (ii) the qualification requirements of the professional who conducts the technical inspections during construction. The index is computed based on the methodology in the DB16-20 studies.

name: Dealing with construction permits: Professional certifications index (0-4) (DB16-20 methodology)


IndicatorName: Professional certifications index (0-4) (DB16-20 methodology)

sourceNote: The professional certifications index evaluates professional certi?cation requirements. It has two components: (i) the qualification requirements of the professional responsible for verifying that the architectural plans or drawings are in compliance with the building regulations; and (ii) the qualification requirements of the professional who conducts the technical inspections during construction. The index is computed based on the methodology in the DB16-20 studies.


IndicatorName: Score-Building quality control index (0-15) (DB16-20 methodology)

Longdefinition: The score for the building quality control index benchmarks economies with respect to the regulatory best practice on the indicator. The score ranges from 0 to 100, where 0 represents the worst regulatory performance and 100 the best regulatory performance, and is computed based on the methodology in the DB16-20 studies.

name: Dealing with construction permits: Building quality control index (0-15) (DB16-20 methodology) - Score


sourceNote: The score for the building quality control index benchmarks economies with respect to the regulatory best practice on the indicator. The score ranges from 0 to 100, where 0 represents the worst regulatory performance and 100 the best regulatory performance, and is computed based on the methodology in the DB16-20 studies.


IndicatorName: Cost (% of Warehouse value)

Longdefinition: The cost records all official costs associated with completing the procedures to legally build a warehouse, including the costs associated with obtaining land use approvals and preconstruction design clearances; receiving inspections before, during and after construction; obtaining utility connections; and registering the warehouse at the property registry. It is calculated as a percentage of the warehouse value. Nonrecurring taxes required for the completion of the warehouse project are also recorded. Sales taxes (such as value added tax) or capital gains taxes are not recorded. Nor are deposits that must be paid up front and are later refunded.

name: Dealing with construction permits: Cost (% of Warehouse value)


sourceNote: The cost records all official costs associated with completing the procedures to legally build a warehouse, including the costs associated with obtaining land use approvals and preconstruction design clearances; receiving inspections before, during and after construction; obtaining utility connections; and registering the warehouse at the property registry. It is calculated as a percentage of the warehouse value. Nonrecurring taxes required for the completion of the warehouse project are also recorded. Sales taxes (such as value added tax) or capital gains taxes are not recorded. Nor are deposits that must be paid up front and are later refunded.


IndicatorName: Score-Cost (% of Warehouse value)

Longdefinition: The score for cost benchmarks economies with respect to the regulatory best practice on the indicator. The score ranges from 0 to 100, where 0 represents the worst regulatory performance and 100 the best regulatory performance.

name: Dealing with construction permits: Cost (% of Warehouse value) - Score


sourceNote: The score for cost benchmarks economies with respect to the regulatory best practice on the indicator. The score ranges from 0 to 100, where 0 represents the worst regulatory performance and 100 the best regulatory performance.


IndicatorName: Score-Dealing with construction permits (DB06-15 methodology)

Longdefinition: The score for dealing with construction permits is the simple average of the scores for each of the component indicators: the procedures, time, cost to deal with construction permits, as well as the building quality control index that evaluate the quality of building regulations, the strength of quality control and safety mechanisms, liability and insurance regimes and professional certification requirements. The score is computed based on the methodology in the DB06-15 studies.

name: Dealing with construction permits (DB06-15 methodology) - Score


sourceNote: The score for dealing with construction permits is the simple average of the scores for each of the component indicators: the procedures, time, cost to deal with construction permits, as well as the building quality control index that evaluate the quality of building regulations, the strength of quality control and safety mechanisms, liability and insurance regimes and professional certification requirements. The score is computed based on the methodology in the DB06-15 studies.


IndicatorName: Score-Dealing with construction permits (DB16-20 methodology)

Longdefinition: The score for dealing with construction permits is the simple average of the scores for each of the component indicators: the procedures, time, cost to deal with construction permits, as well as the building quality control index that evaluate the quality of building regulations, the strength of quality control and safety mechanisms, liability and insurance regimes and professional certification requirements. The score is computed based on the methodology in the DB16-20 studies.

name: Dealing with construction permits (DB16-20 methodology) - Score


sourceNote: The score for dealing with construction permits is the simple average of the scores for each of the component indicators: the procedures, time, cost to deal with construction permits, as well as the building quality control index that evaluate the quality of building regulations, the strength of quality control and safety mechanisms, liability and insurance regimes and professional certification requirements. The score is computed based on the methodology in the DB16-20 studies.


IndicatorName: Procedures (number)

Longdefinition: The number of procedures records all the procedures required in practice for businesses to obtain a new electrical connection. A procedure is defined as any interaction of the company’s employees or its main electrician or electrical engineer with external parties, such as the electricity distribution utility, electricity supply utilities, government agencies, electrical contractors and firms. Interactions between company employees and steps related to the internal electrical wiring, such as the design and execution of the internal electrical installation plans, are not counted as procedures. However, internal wiring inspections and certifications that are prerequisites to obtain a new connection are counted as procedures.

Topic: Registering property

name: Dealing with construction permits: Procedures (number)

sourceNote: The number of procedures records all interactions of the building company’s employees or any party acting on its behalf with external parties, including government agencies, notaries, the land registry, the cadastre, utility companies and public inspectors. Procedures that the company undergoes to connect the warehouse to water and sewerage are included. All procedures that are legally required and that are done in practice by a majority of companies  are counted, even if they may be avoided in exceptional cases.


Developmentrelevance: Infrastructure services are a major concern for businesses around the world. Getting electricity services in particular is known to be a substantial obstacle to entrepreneurial activity. Power outages can  severely hamper business activity as well as the economy as a whole. For example, power outages can lead to sale losses and decreases in productivity. Research also shows that capital tends to go to economies that can offer a reliable and competitively priced supply of electricity. That is why, by providing insight into the complex regulatory environment concerning electricity connections and measuring how regulations and institutions affect a firm's ability to get a new connection, Doing Business can thus help identify bottlenecks and prompt policy makers to introduce more conducive regulations.

IndicatorName: Score-Procedures (number)

Longdefinition: The score for the number of procedures benchmarks economies with respect to the regulatory best practice on the indicator. The score ranges from 0 to 100, where 0 represents the worst regulatory performance and 100 the best regulatory performance.

name: Dealing with construction permits: Procedures (number) - Score

sourceNote: The score for the number procedures benchmarks economies with respect to the regulatory best practice on the indicator. The score ranges from 0 to 100, where 0 represents the worst regulatory performance and 100 the best regulatory performance.


Longdefinition: The quality of building regulations index evaluates the accessibility and transparency of building regulations. It has two components: (i) whether building regulations are easily accessible; and (ii) whether the requirements for obtaining a building permit are clearly specified. The index is computed based on the methodology in the DB16-20 studies.

name: Dealing with construction permits: Quality of building regulations index (0-2) (DB16-20 methodology)


IndicatorName: Quality of building regulations index (0-2) (DB16-20 methodology)

sourceNote: The quality of building regulations index evaluates the accessibility and transparency of building regulations. It has two components: (i) whether building regulations are easily accessible; and (ii) whether the requirements for obtaining a building permit are clearly specified. The index is computed based on the methodology in the DB16-20 studies.


Longdefinition: The quality control after construction index evaluates quality control after the construction process. It has two components: (i) whether a final inspection is mandated by law to verify that the building was built in accordance with the approved plans and existing building regulations; and (ii) whether the final inspection is implemented in practice. The index is computed based on the methodology in the DB16-20 studies.

name: Dealing with construction permits: Quality control after construction index (0-3) (DB16-20 methodology)


IndicatorName: Quality control after construction index (0-3) (DB16-20 methodology)

sourceNote: The quality control after construction index evaluates quality control after the construction process. It has two components: (i) whether a final inspection is mandated by law to verify that the building was built in accordance with the approved plans and existing building regulations; and (ii) whether the final inspection is implemented in practice. The index is computed based on the methodology in the DB16-20 studies.


Longdefinition: The quality control before construction index evaluates quality control in the review of the building plans. The index measures whether by law, a licensed architect or engineer is part of the committee or team that reviews and approves building permit applications and whether that person has the authority to refuse an application if the plans are not in conformity with regulations. The index is computed based on the methodology in the DB16-20 studies.

name: Dealing with construction permits: Quality control before construction index (0-1) (DB16-20 methodology)


IndicatorName: Quality control before construction index (0-1) (DB16-20 methodology)

sourceNote: The quality control before construction index evaluates quality control in the review of the building plans. The index measures whether by law, a licensed architect or engineer is part of the committee or team that reviews and approves building permit applications and whether that person has the authority to refuse an application if the plans are not in conformity with regulations. The index is computed based on the methodology in the DB16-20 studies.


Longdefinition: The quality control during construction index evaluates quality control during the construction process. It has two components: (i) whether inspections are mandated by law during the construction process; (ii) whether inspections during construction are implemented in practice. The index is computed based on the methodology in the DB16-20 studies.

name: Dealing with construction permits: Quality control during construction index (0-3) (DB16-20 methodology)


IndicatorName: Quality control during construction index (0-3) (DB16-20 methodology)

sourceNote: The quality control during construction index evaluates quality control during the construction process. It has two components: (i) whether inspections are mandated by law during the construction process; (ii) whether inspections during construction are implemented in practice. The index is computed based on the methodology in the DB16-20 studies.


IndicatorName: Rank-Dealing with construction permits

Longdefinition: The ranking of economies on the ease of dealing with construction permits is determined by sorting their scores for dealing with construction permits.

name: Rank: Dealing with construction permits (1=most business-friendly regulations)


sourceNote: The ranking of economies on the ease of dealing with construction permits is determined by sorting their scores for dealing with construction permits.


IndicatorName: Time (days)

Longdefinition: The time to enforce contracts is recorded in calendar days, counted from the moment plaintiff decides to file the lawsuit in court until payment. The average duration of the following three different stages of dispute resolution is recorded: (i) filing and service, (ii) trial and judgment, and (iii) enforcement.

Topic: Getting electricity

name: Dealing with construction permits: Time (days)

sourceNote: The time captures the median duration that local experts indicate is necessary to complete a procedure in practice. It is calculated in calendar days. The time estimates of all procedures are added to calculate the total time required to complete each procedure, taking into account simultaneity of processes. It is assumed that the minimum time required for each procedure is one day, except for procedures that can be fully completed online, for which the time required is recorded as half a day.


IndicatorName: Score-Time (days)

Longdefinition: The score for time to enforce contracts benchmarks economies with respect to the regulatory best practice on the indicator. The score is indicated on a scale from 0 to 100, where 0 represents the worst regulatory performance and 100 the best regulatory performance.

name: Dealing with construction permits: Time (days)  - Score

sourceNote: The score for time benchmarks economies with respect to the regulatory best practice on the indicator. The score ranges from 0 to 100, where 0 represents the worst regulatory performance and 100 the best regulatory performance.


Developmentrelevance: The getting credit indicator set covers two aspects of access to finance—the strength of credit reporting systems and the effectiveness of collateral and bankruptcy laws in facilitating lending. These institutions and legal rights matter. The inability of lenders to accurately assess the creditworthiness of borrowers contributes to higher default rates and smaller loan portfolios. Lenders are also unwilling to provide credit if there is no guarantee that they will be able to enforce their rights and collect a debt or repossess collateral through a timely and inexpensive process.

IndicatorName: Getting Credit total score (DB05-14 methodology)

Longdefinition: The total score for getting credit is the sum of the strength of legal rights index and the depth of credit information index, based on the methodology in the DB05-14 studies.

Topic: Getting credit


name: Getting Credit total score (DB05-14 methodology)

sourceNote: The total score for getting credit is the sum of the strength of legal rights index and the depth of credit information index, based on the methodology in the DB05-14 studies.


IndicatorName: Getting Credit total score (DB15-20 methodology)

Longdefinition: The total score for getting credit is the sum of the strength of legal rights index and the depth of credit information index, based on the methodology in the DB15-20 studies.


name: Getting Credit total score (DB15-20 methodology)

sourceNote: The total score for getting credit is the sum of the strength of legal rights index and the depth of credit information index, based on the methodology in the DB15-20 studies.


IndicatorName: Score-Getting credit (DB05-14 methodology)

Longdefinition: The score for getting credit benchmarks economies with respect to the regulatory best practice on the indicator set. The score is indicated on a scale from 0 to 100, where 0 represents the worst regulatory performance and 100 the best regulatory performance, and is computed based on the methodology in the DB05-14 studies.

name: Getting credit (DB05-14 methodology) - Score


sourceNote: The score for getting credit benchmarks economies with respect to the regulatory best practice on the indicator set. The score is indicated on a scale from 0 to 100, where 0 represents the worst regulatory performance and 100 the best regulatory performance, and is computed based on the methodology in the DB05-14 studies.


IndicatorName: Score-Getting credit (DB15-20 methodology)

Longdefinition: The score for getting credit benchmarks economies with respect to the regulatory best practice on the indicator set. The score is indicated on a scale from 0 to 100, where 0 represents the worst regulatory performance and 100 the best regulatory performance, and is computed based on the methodology in the DB15-20 studies.

name: Getting credit (DB15-20 methodology) - Score


sourceNote: The score for getting credit benchmarks economies with respect to the regulatory best practice on the indicator set. The score is indicated on a scale from 0 to 100, where 0 represents the worst regulatory performance and 100 the best regulatory performance, and is computed based on the methodology in the DB15-20 studies.


IndicatorName: Rank-Getting credit

Longdefinition: The ranking of economies on the ease of getting credit is determined by sorting their scores for getting credit.

name: Rank: Getting credit (1=most business-friendly regulations)


sourceNote: The ranking of economies on the ease of getting credit is determined by sorting their scores for getting credit.


Developmentrelevance: Globally, 27% of firms identify access to finance as a major constraint while around 70% of formal SMEs in developing economies are estimated to be either unserved or underserved by the formal financial sector. Credit bureaus and registries are essential elements of the financial infrastructure that helps to address the issue of access to financial services, including credit. By sharing credit information, they help to reduce information asymmetries, increase access to credit for small firms, lower interest rates, improve borrower discipline and support bank supervision and credit risk monitoring.

Longdefinition: The depth of credit information index measures the coverage, scope and accessibility of credit information available through credit reporting service providers such as credit bureaus or credit registries. The index ranges from 0 to 8 based on the methodology in the DB05-14 studies.

name: Getting credit: Depth of credit information index (0-6) (DB05-14 methodology)


IndicatorName: Depth of credit information index (0-6) (DB05-14 methodology)

sourceNote: The depth of credit information index measures the coverage, scope and accessibility of credit information available through credit reporting service providers such as credit bureaus or credit registries. The index ranges from 0 to 8 based on the methodology in the DB05-14 studies.


IndicatorName: Score-Depth of credit information index (0-6) (DB05-14 methodology)

Longdefinition: The score for the depth of credit information benchmarks economies with respect to the regulatory best practice on the indicator. The score is indicated on a scale from 0 to 100, where 0 represents the worst regulatory performance and 100 the best regulatory performance, and is computed based on the methodology in the DB05-14 studies.

name: Getting credit: Depth of credit information index (0-6) (DB05-14 methodology) - Score


sourceNote: The score for the depth of credit information benchmarks economies with respect to the regulatory best practice on the indicator. The score is indicated on a scale from 0 to 100, where 0 represents the worst regulatory performance and 100 the best regulatory performance, and is computed based on the methodology in the DB05-14 studies.


Longdefinition: The depth of credit information index measures the coverage, scope and accessibility of credit information available through credit reporting service providers such as credit bureaus or credit registries. The index ranges from 0 to 8 based on the methodology in the DB15-20 studies.

name: Getting credit: Depth of credit information index (0-8) (DB15-20 methodology)


IndicatorName: Depth of credit information index (0-8) (DB15-20 methodology)

sourceNote: The depth of credit information index measures the coverage, scope and accessibility of credit information available through credit reporting service providers such as credit bureaus or credit registries. The index ranges from 0 to 8 based on the methodology in the DB15-20 studies.


IndicatorName: Score-Depth of credit information index (0-8) (DB15-20 methodology)

Longdefinition: The score for the depth of credit information benchmarks economies with respect to the regulatory best practice on the indicator. The score is indicated on a scale from 0 to 100, where 0 represents the worst regulatory performance and 100 the best regulatory performance, and is computed based on the methodology in the DB15-20 studies.

name: Getting credit: Depth of credit information index (0-8) (DB15-20 methodology) - Score


sourceNote: The score for the depth of credit information benchmarks economies with respect to the regulatory best practice on the indicator. The score is indicated on a scale from 0 to 100, where 0 represents the worst regulatory performance and 100 the best regulatory performance, and is computed based on the methodology in the DB15-20 studies.


Developmentrelevance: Movable assets, rather than land or buildings, often comprise most of the capital stock of private firms; this is especially true for SMEs. In economies with a modern secured transactions system, these assets can easily be used as collateral. However, in many developing economies lenders may consider movable property to be an unacceptable form of collateral—either because the law does not recognize nonpossessory interests in movable collateral or because it does not provide sufficient protection for those lenders accepting it. This constraint matters: research shows that in developed economies borrowers with collateral obtain nine times as much credit as those without it. These borrowers also benefit from repayment periods 11 times as long and up to 50% lower interest rates.

IndicatorName: Score-Strength of legal rights index (0-10) (DB05-14 methodology)

Longdefinition: The score for the strength of legal rights benchmarks economies with respect to the regulatory best practice on the indicator. The score is indicated on a scale from 0 to 100, where 0 represents the worst regulatory performance and 100 the best regulatory performance, and is computed based on the methodology in the DB05-14 studies.

name: Getting credit: Strength of legal rights index (0-10) (DB05-14 methodology) - Score


sourceNote: The score for the strength of legal rights benchmarks economies with respect to the regulatory best practice on the indicator. The score is indicated on a scale from 0 to 100, where 0 represents the worst regulatory performance and 100 the best regulatory performance, and is computed based on the methodology in the DB05-14 studies.


IndicatorName: Score-Strength of legal rights index (0-12) (DB15-20 methodology)

Longdefinition: The score for the strength of legal rights benchmarks economies with respect to the regulatory best practice on the indicator. The score is indicated on a scale from 0 to 100, where 0 represents the worst regulatory performance and 100 the best regulatory performance, and is computed based on the methodology in the DB15-20 studies.

name: Getting credit: Strength of legal rights index (0-12) (DB15-20 methodology) - Score


sourceNote: The score for the strength of legal rights benchmarks economies with respect to the regulatory best practice on the indicator. The score is indicated on a scale from 0 to 100, where 0 represents the worst regulatory performance and 100 the best regulatory performance, and is computed based on the methodology in the DB15-20 studies.


Longdefinition: The strength of legal rights index measures whether certain features that facilitate lending exist within the applicable collateral and bankruptcy laws. The index ranges from 0 to 10 based on the methodology in the DB05-14 studies.

name: Getting credit: Strength of legal rights index (0-10) (DB05-14 methodology)


IndicatorName: Strength of legal rights index (0-10) (DB05-14 methodology)

sourceNote: The strength of legal rights index measures whether certain features that facilitate lending exist within the applicable collateral and bankruptcy laws. The index ranges from 0 to 10 based on the methodology in the DB05-14 studies.


Longdefinition: The strength of legal rights index measures whether certain features that facilitate lending exist within the applicable collateral and bankruptcy laws. The index ranges from 0 to 12 based on the methodology in the DB15-20 studies.

name: Getting credit: Strength of legal rights index (0-12) (DB15-20 methodology)


IndicatorName: Strength of legal rights index (0-12) (DB15-20 methodology)

sourceNote: The strength of legal rights index measures whether certain features that facilitate lending exist within the applicable collateral and bankruptcy laws. The index ranges from 0 to 12 based on the methodology in the DB15-20 studies.


IndicatorName: Credit bureau coverage (% of adults)

Longdefinition: The credit bureau coverage reports the number of individuals and firms listed in a credit bureau’s database as of January 1 with information on their borrowing history from the past five years, and the number of individuals and firms that have had no borrowing history in the past five years but for which a lender requested a credit report from the bureau in the previous calendar year. The number is expressed as a percentage of the adult population.

name: Getting credit: Credit bureau coverage (% of adults)


sourceNote: The credit bureau coverage reports the number of individuals and firms listed in a credit bureau’s database as of January 1 with information on their borrowing history from the past five years, and the number of individuals and firms that have had no borrowing history in the past five years but for which a lender requested a credit report from the bureau in the previous calendar year. The number is expressed as a percentage of the adult population.


IndicatorName: Credit registry coverage (% of adults)

Longdefinition: The credit registry coverage reports the number of individuals and firms listed in a credit registry’s database as of January 1 with information on their borrowing history from the past five years, and the number of individuals and firms that have had no borrowing history in the past five years but for which a lender requested a credit report from the registry in the previous calendar year. The number is expressed as a percentage of the adult population.

name: Getting credit: Credit registry coverage (% of adults)


sourceNote: The credit registry coverage reports the number of individuals and firms listed in a credit registry’s database as of January 1 with information on their borrowing history from the past five years, and the number of individuals and firms that have had no borrowing history in the past five years but for which a lender requested a credit report from the registry in the previous calendar year. The number is expressed as a percentage of the adult population.


Longdefinition: The building quality control index is the sum of the following six indices: quality of building regulations, quality control before construction, quality control during construction, quality control after construction, liability and insurance regimes and professional certifications. The component indicator is computed based on the methodology in the DB16-20 studies.

name: Dealing with construction permits: Building quality control index (0-15) (DB16-20 methodology)


IndicatorName: Building quality control index (0-15) (DB16-20 methodology)

sourceNote: The building quality control index is the sum of the following six indices: quality of building regulations, quality control before construction, quality control during construction, quality control after construction, liability and insurance regimes and professional certifications. The component indicator is computed based on the methodology in the DB16-20 studies.


IndicatorName: Score-Getting electricity (DB10-15 methodology)

Longdefinition: The score for getting electricity is the simple average of the scores for each of the component indicators: the procedures, time, cost for a business to obtain a permanent electricity connection and supply for a standardized warehouse, as well as the reliability of supply and transparency of tariffs index. The score is computed based on the methodology in the DB10-15 studies.

name: Getting electricity (DB10-15 methodology) - Score


sourceNote: The score for getting electricity is the simple average of the scores for each of the component indicators: the procedures, time, cost for a business to obtain a permanent electricity connection and supply for a standardized warehouse, as well as the reliability of supply and transparency of tariffs index. The score is computed based on the methodology in the DB10-15 studies.


IndicatorName: Score-Getting electricity (DB16-20 methodology)

Longdefinition: The score for getting electricity is the simple average of the scores for each of the component indicators: the procedures, time, cost for a business to obtain a permanent electricity connection and supply for a standardized warehouse, as well as the reliability of supply and transparency of tariffs index. The score is computed based on the methodology in the DB16-20 studies.

name: Getting electricity (DB16-20 methodology) - Score


sourceNote: The score for getting electricity is the simple average of the scores for each of the component indicators: the procedures, time, cost for a business to obtain a permanent electricity connection and supply for a standardized warehouse, as well as the reliability of supply and transparency of tariffs index. The score is computed based on the methodology in the DB16-20 studies.


name: Rank: Getting electricity (1=most business-friendly regulations)


IndicatorName: Cost (% of income per capita)

Longdefinition: The cost is the total median cost associated with completing the procedures to connect a warehouse to electricity. It is calculated as a percentage of income per capita. All the fees and costs associated with completing the procedures to connect a warehouse to electricity are recorded, including those related to obtaining clearances from government agencies, applying for the connection, receiving inspections of both the site and the internal wiring, purchasing material, getting the actual connection works and paying a security deposit. Bribes are not included.

name: Getting electricity: Cost to get electricity (% of income per capita)


sourceNote: The cost is the total median cost associated with completing the procedures to connect a warehouse to electricity. It is calculated as a percentage of income per capita. All the fees and costs associated with completing the procedures to connect a warehouse to electricity are recorded, including those related to obtaining clearances from government agencies, applying for the connection, receiving inspections of both the site and the internal wiring, purchasing material, getting the actual connection works and paying a security deposit. Bribes are not included.


IndicatorName: Score-Cost (% of income per capita)

Longdefinition: The score for cost benchmarks economies with respect to the regulatory best practice on the indicator. The score ranges from 0 to 100, where 0 represents the worst regulatory performance and 100 the best regulatory performance.

name: Getting electricity: Cost to get electricity (% of income per capita) - Score


sourceNote: The score for cost benchmarks economies with respect to the regulatory best practice on the indicator. The score ranges from 0 to 100, where 0 represents the worst regulatory performance and 100 the best regulatory performance.


Longdefinition: The communication of tariffs and tariff changes index evaluates whether electricity tariffs are transparent. A score of 1 is assigned if effective tariffs are available online and customers are notified of a change in tariff a full billing cycle (that is, one month) ahead of time. The index is computed based on the methodology in the DB16-20 studies.

name: Getting electricity: Communication of tariffs and tariff changes (0-1) (DB16-20 methodology)


IndicatorName: Communication of tariffs and tariff changes (0-1) (DB16-20 methodology)

sourceNote: The communication of tariffs and tariff changes index evaluates whether electricity tariffs are transparent. A score of 1 is assigned if effective tariffs are available online and customers are notified of a change in tariff a full billing cycle (that is, one month) ahead of time. The index is computed based on the methodology in the DB16-20 studies.


Longdefinition: Th financial deterrents index evaluates whether financial deterrents exist to limit outages. A score of 1 is assigned if the utility compensates customers when outages exceed a certain cap, if the utility is fined by the regulator when outages exceed a certain cap or if both these conditions are met. The index is computed based on the methodology in the DB16-20 studies.

name: Getting electricity: Financial deterrents aimed at limiting outages (0-1) (DB16-20 methodology)


IndicatorName: Financial deterrents aimed at limiting outages (0-1) (DB16-20 methodology)

sourceNote: Th financial deterrents index evaluates whether financial deterrents exist to limit outages. A score of 1 is assigned if the utility compensates customers when outages exceed a certain cap, if the utility is fined by the regulator when outages exceed a certain cap or if both these conditions are met. The index is computed based on the methodology in the DB16-20 studies.


Longdefinition: The mechanisms for monitoring outages index evaluates what tools are used by the distribution utility to monitor power outages. A score of 1 is assigned if the utility uses automated tools, such as an Outage/Incident Management System (OMS/IMS) or Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system. The index is computed based on the methodology in the DB16-20 studies.

name: Getting electricity: Mechanisms for monitoring outages (0-1) (DB16-20 methodology)


IndicatorName: Mechanisms for monitoring outages (0-1) (DB16-20 methodology)

sourceNote: The mechanisms for monitoring outages index evaluates what tools are used by the distribution utility to monitor power outages. A score of 1 is assigned if the utility uses automated tools, such as an Outage/Incident Management System (OMS/IMS) or Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system. The index is computed based on the methodology in the DB16-20 studies.


Longdefinition: The total duration and frequency of outages per customer a year index evaluates the quality of the power supply. If SAIDI and SAIFI are 12 (equivalent to an outage of one hour each month) or below, a score of 1 is assigned. If SAIDI and SAIFI are 4 (equivalent to an outage of one hour each quarter) or below, 1 additional point is assigned. If SAIDI and SAIFI are 1 (equivalent to an outage of one hour per year) or below, 1 more point is assigned. The index is computed based on the methodology in the DB16-20 studies.

name: Getting electricity: Total duration and frequency of outages per customer a year (0-3) (DB16-20 methodology)


IndicatorName: Total duration and frequency of outages per customer a year (0-3) (DB16-20 methodology)

sourceNote: The total duration and frequency of outages per customer a year index evaluates the quality of the power supply. If SAIDI and SAIFI are 12 (equivalent to an outage of one hour each month) or below, a score of 1 is assigned. If SAIDI and SAIFI are 4 (equivalent to an outage of one hour each quarter) or below, 1 additional point is assigned. If SAIDI and SAIFI are 1 (equivalent to an outage of one hour per year) or below, 1 more point is assigned. The index is computed based on the methodology in the DB16-20 studies.


Longdefinition: The minimum outage time is the minimum time, in minutes, considered for the calculation of the SAIDI and SAIFI indices. If the minimum outage time exceeds 5 minutes, an economy is not eligible to obtain a score on the Reliability of supply and transparency of tariff index component. The index is computed based on the methodology in the DB16-20 studies.

name: Getting electricity: Minimum outage time (in minutes)  (DB16-20 methodology)


IndicatorName: Minimum outage time (in minutes)  (DB16-20 methodology)

sourceNote: The minimum outage time is the minimum time, in minutes, considered for the calculation of the SAIDI and SAIFI indices. If the minimum outage time exceeds 5 minutes, an economy is not eligible to obtain a score on the Reliability of supply and transparency of tariff index component. The index is computed based on the methodology in the DB16-20 studies.


Longdefinition: The price of electricity is measured in U.S. cents per kWh. A monthly electricity consumption is assumed, for which a bill is then computed for a warehouse based in the largest business city of the economy for the month of March. The bill is then expressed back as a unit of kWh. The index is computed based on the methodology in the DB16-20 studies.

name: Getting electricity: Price of electricity (US cents per kWh) (DB16-20 methodology)


IndicatorName: Price of electricity (US cents per kWh) (DB16-20 methodology)

sourceNote: The price of electricity is measured in U.S. cents per kWh. A monthly electricity consumption is assumed, for which a bill is then computed for a warehouse based in the largest business city of the economy for the month of March. The bill is then expressed back as a unit of kWh. The index is computed based on the methodology in the DB16-20 studies.


name: Getting electricity: Procedures (number)

sourceNote: The number of procedures records all the procedures required in practice for businesses to obtain a new electrical connection. A procedure is defined as any interaction of the company’s employees or its main electrician or electrical engineer with external parties, such as the electricity distribution utility, electricity supply utilities, government agencies, electrical contractors and firms. Interactions between company employees and steps related to the internal electrical wiring, such as the design and execution of the internal electrical installation plans, are not counted as procedures. However, internal wiring inspections and certifications that are prerequisites to obtain a new connection are counted as procedures.


name: Getting electricity: Procedures (number) - Score

sourceNote: The score for the number of procedures benchmarks economies with respect to the regulatory best practice on the indicator. The score ranges from 0 to 100, where 0 represents the worst regulatory performance and 100 the best regulatory performance.


Longdefinition: The regulatory monitoring index evaluates whether a regulator—that is, an entity separate from the utility—monitors the utility’s performance on reliability of supply. A score of 1 is assigned if the regulator performs periodic or real-time reviews. The index is computed based on the methodology in the DB16-20 studies.

name: Getting electricity: Regulatory monitoring (0-1) (DB16-20 methodology)


IndicatorName: Regulatory monitoring (0-1) (DB16-20 methodology)

sourceNote: The regulatory monitoring index evaluates whether a regulator—that is, an entity separate from the utility—monitors the utility’s performance on reliability of supply. A score of 1 is assigned if the regulator performs periodic or real-time reviews. The index is computed based on the methodology in the DB16-20 studies.


Longdefinition: The mechanisms for restoring service index evaluates what tools are used by the distribution utility to restore power supply. A score of 1 is assigned if the utility uses automated tools, such as an OMS/IMS or SCADA system. The index is computed based on the methodology in the DB16-20 studies.

name: Getting electricity: Mechanisms for restoring service (0-1) (DB16-20 methodology)


IndicatorName: Mechanisms for restoring service (0-1) (DB16-20 methodology)

sourceNote: The mechanisms for restoring service index evaluates what tools are used by the distribution utility to restore power supply. A score of 1 is assigned if the utility uses automated tools, such as an OMS/IMS or SCADA system. The index is computed based on the methodology in the DB16-20 studies.


Longdefinition: The reliability of supply and transparency of tariff index is calculated on the basis of the following six components: (i) duration and frequency of power outages, (ii) tools to monitor power outages, (iii) tools to restore power supply, (iv) regulatory monitoring of utilities’ performance, (v) financial deterrents aimed at limiting outages, and (vi) transparency and accessibility of tariffs. An economy is eligible to obtain a score on the reliability of supply and transparency of tariffs index only if (i) the utility collects data on all types of outages (average total duration of outages per customer and the average number of outages per customer), including planned and unplanned outages, as well as load shedding, with the minimum outage time of not more than 5 minutes; and (ii) the SAIDI value is below a threshold of 100 hours and the SAIFI value is under 100 outages. The component indicator is computed based on the methodology in the DB16-20 studies.

name: Getting electricity: Reliability of supply and transparency of tariff index (0-8) (DB16-20 methodology)


IndicatorName: Reliability of supply and transparency of tariff index (0-8) (DB16-20 methodology)

sourceNote: The reliability of supply and transparency of tariff index is calculated on the basis of the following six components: (i) duration and frequency of power outages, (ii) tools to monitor power outages, (iii) tools to restore power supply, (iv) regulatory monitoring of utilities’ performance, (v) financial deterrents aimed at limiting outages, and (vi) transparency and accessibility of tariffs. An economy is eligible to obtain a score on the reliability of supply and transparency of tariffs index only if (i) the utility collects data on all types of outages (average total duration of outages per customer and the average number of outages per customer), including planned and unplanned outages, as well as load shedding, with the minimum outage time of not more than 5 minutes; and (ii) the SAIDI value is below a threshold of 100 hours and the SAIFI value is under 100 outages. The component indicator is computed based on the methodology in the DB16-20 studies.


IndicatorName: Score-Reliability of supply and transparency of tariff index (0-8) (DB16-20 methodology)

Longdefinition: The score for the reliability of supply and transparency of tariff index benchmarks economies with respect to the regulatory best practice on the indicator. The score ranges from 0 to 100, where 0 represents the worst regulatory performance and 100 the best regulatory performance, and is computed based on the methodology in the DB16-20 studies.

name: Getting electricity: Reliability of supply and transparency of tariff index (0-8) (DB16-20 methodology) - Score


sourceNote: The score for the reliability of supply and transparency of tariff index benchmarks economies with respect to the regulatory best practice on the indicator. The score ranges from 0 to 100, where 0 represents the worst regulatory performance and 100 the best regulatory performance, and is computed based on the methodology in the DB16-20 studies.


Longdefinition: The system average interruption duration index is the average total duration of outages (in hours) experienced by a customer in a year. The index is computed based on the methodology in the DB16-20 studies.

name: Getting electricity: System average interruption duration index (SAIDI) (DB16-20 methodology)


IndicatorName: System average interruption duration index (SAIDI) (DB16-20 methodology)

sourceNote: The system average interruption duration index is the average total duration of outages (in hours) experienced by a customer in a year. The index is computed based on the methodology in the DB16-20 studies.


Longdefinition: The system average interruption frequency index (SAIFI) is the average number of service interruptions experienced by a customer in a year. The index is computed based on the methodology in the DB16-20 studies.

name: Getting electricity: System average interruption frequency index (SAIFI) (DB16-20 methodology)


IndicatorName: System average interruption frequency index (SAIFI) (DB16-20 methodology)

sourceNote: The system average interruption frequency index (SAIFI) is the average number of service interruptions experienced by a customer in a year. The index is computed based on the methodology in the DB16-20 studies.


Time required to get electricity (days)

sourceNote: Time required to get electricity is the number of days to obtain a permanent electricity connection. The measure captures the median duration that the electricity utility and experts indicate is necessary in practice, rather than required by law, to complete a procedure.

value: Energy & Mining


name: Latin America & Caribbean (excluding high income)


name: Least developed countries: UN classification


name: Middle East & North Africa (IDA & IBRD countries)


name: Sub-Saharan Africa (excluding high income)


name: East Asia & Pacific (IDA & IBRD countries)


name: East Asia & Pacific (excluding high income)


name: Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries)


name: Fragile and conflict affected situations


name: Middle East & North Africa (excluding high income)


name: Europe & Central Asia (IDA & IBRD countries)


name: Latin America & the Caribbean (IDA & IBRD countries)


name: Europe & Central Asia (excluding high income)


name: Getting electricity: Time (days) - Score

sourceNote: The score for time benchmarks economies with respect to the regulatory best practice on the indicator. The score ranges from 0 to 100, where 0 represents the worst regulatory performance and 100 the best regulatory performance.


Developmentrelevance: Where the rules are excessively burdensome, resource-constrained entrepreneurs might not have the opportunity to turn their ideas into a business. More generally, making it difficult to start a business may prevent an economy and its private sector from reaping the benefits of business formalization. In fact, a growing body of empirical research shows a positive correlation between business entry regulations and social and economic outcomes. Economies with high levels of formal entrepreneurship also benefit from higher levels of employment and enhanced economic growth. Moreover, as more businesses formalize, the tax base expands, which enables governments to spend on productivity-enhancing areas and pursue other social and economic policy objectives. Conversely, economies with overly cumbersome regulations for starting a business are associated with higher levels of informality and corruption as well as a smaller tax base.

IndicatorName: Cost - Women (% of income per capita)

Longdefinition: The cost for women is the total cost required for five female married entrepreneurs to complete the procedures to incorporate and operate a business. It is calculated as a percentage of income per capita. All the fees and costs associated with completing the procedures to start a business are recorded, including all official fees and fees for legal and professional services, if such services are required by law or commonly used in practice. Only incorporation costs are counted, which excludes value added taxes and bribes.

Topic: Starting a business

name: Cost of business start-up procedures, female (% of GNI per capita)

sourceNote: Cost to register a business is normalized by presenting it as a percentage of gross national income (GNI) per capita.


IndicatorName: Score-Cost - Women (% of income per capita)

Longdefinition: The score for the cost for women benchmarks economies with respect to the regulatory best practice on the indicator. The score ranges from 0 to 100, where 0 represents the worst regulatory performance and 100 the best regulatory performance.

name: Starting a business: Cost - Women (% of income per capita) - Score


sourceNote: The score for the cost for women benchmarks economies with respect to the regulatory best practice on the indicator. The score ranges from 0 to 100, where 0 represents the worst regulatory performance and 100 the best regulatory performance.


IndicatorName: Cost - Men (% of income per capita)

Longdefinition: The cost for men is the total cost required for five male married entrepreneurs to complete the procedures to incorporate and operate a business. It is calculated as a percentage of income per capita. All the fees and costs associated with completing the procedures to start a business are recorded, including all official fees and fees for legal and professional services, if such services are required by law or commonly used in practice. Only incorporation costs are counted, which excludes value added taxes and bribes.

name: Cost of business start-up procedures, male (% of GNI per capita)


IndicatorName: Score-Cost - Men (% of income per capita)

Longdefinition: The score for the cost for men benchmarks economies with respect to the regulatory best practice on the indicator. The score ranges from 0 to 100, where 0 represents the worst regulatory performance and 100 the best regulatory performance.

name: Starting a business: Cost - Men (% of income per capita) - Score


sourceNote: The score for the cost for men benchmarks economies with respect to the regulatory best practice on the indicator. The score ranges from 0 to 100, where 0 represents the worst regulatory performance and 100 the best regulatory performance.


IndicatorName: Score-Paid-in Minimum capital (% of income per capita)

Longdefinition: The score for the paid-in minimum capital requirement benchmarks economies with respect to the regulatory best practice on the indicator. The score ranges from 0 to 100, where 0 represents the worst regulatory performance and 100 the best regulatory performance.

name: Starting a business: Paid-in Minimum capital (% of income per capita) - Score


sourceNote: The score for the paid-in minimum capital requirement benchmarks economies with respect to the regulatory best practice on the indicator. The score ranges from 0 to 100, where 0 represents the worst regulatory performance and 100 the best regulatory performance.


IndicatorName: Time - Women (days)

Longdefinition: The time for women captures the median duration that business incorporation experts indicate is necessary for five female married entrepreneurs to complete all procedures required to start and operate a business with minimum follow-up and no extra payments. It is calulared in calendar days. The time estimates of all procedures are added to calculate the total time required to start and operate a business, taking into account simultaneity of processes. It is assumed that the minimum time required for each procedure is one day, except for procedures that can be fully completed online, for which the time required is recorded as half a day.

name: Starting a business: Time - Women (days)


sourceNote: The time for women captures the median duration that business incorporation experts indicate is necessary for five female married entrepreneurs to complete all procedures required to start and operate a business with minimum follow-up and no extra payments. It is calulared in calendar days. The time estimates of all procedures are added to calculate the total time required to start and operate a business, taking into account simultaneity of processes. It is assumed that the minimum time required for each procedure is one day, except for procedures that can be fully completed online, for which the time required is recorded as half a day.


IndicatorName: Score-Time - Women (days)

Longdefinition: The score for the time for women benchmarks economies with respect to the regulatory best practice on the indicator. The score ranges from 0 to 100, where 0 represents the worst regulatory performance and 100 the best regulatory performance.

name: Starting a business: Time - Women (days)- Score


sourceNote: The score for the time for women benchmarks economies with respect to the regulatory best practice on the indicator. The score ranges from 0 to 100, where 0 represents the worst regulatory performance and 100 the best regulatory performance.


Starting a business: Time - Men (days)

IndicatorName: Time - Men (days)

Longdefinition: The time for men captures the median duration that business incorporation experts indicate is necessary for five male married entrepreneurs to complete all procedures required to start and operate a business with minimum follow-up and no extra payments. It is calulared in calendar days. The time estimates of all procedures are added to calculate the total time required to start and operate a business, taking into account simultaneity of processes. It is assumed that the minimum time required for each procedure is one day, except for procedures that can be fully completed online, for which the time required is recorded as half a day.


sourceNote: The time for men captures the median duration that business incorporation experts indicate is necessary for five male married entrepreneurs to complete all procedures required to start and operate a business with minimum follow-up and no extra payments. It is calulared in calendar days. The time estimates of all procedures are added to calculate the total time required to start and operate a business, taking into account simultaneity of processes. It is assumed that the minimum time required for each procedure is one day, except for procedures that can be fully completed online, for which the time required is recorded as half a day.


IndicatorName: Score-Time - Men (days)

Longdefinition: The score for the time for men benchmarks economies with respect to the regulatory best practice on the indicator. The score ranges from 0 to 100, where 0 represents the worst regulatory performance and 100 the best regulatory performance.

name: Starting a business: Time - Men (days) - Score


sourceNote: The score for the time for men benchmarks economies with respect to the regulatory best practice on the indicator. The score ranges from 0 to 100, where 0 represents the worst regulatory performance and 100 the best regulatory performance.


IndicatorName: Paid-in Minimum capital (% of income per capita)

Longdefinition: The paid-in minimum capital requirement re?ects the amount that the entrepreneur needs to deposit in a bank or with a third-party before registration or up to three months after incorporation. It is calculated as percentage of income per capita. Any legal limitation of the company’s operations or decisions related to the payment of the minimum capital requirement is recorded. In case the legal minimum capital is provided per share, it is assumed 5 shareholders own the company and the legal minimum capital is multiplied by 5 shares. If an economy requires a minimum capital but allows businesses to pay only a part of it before registration, only this part is recorded.

name: Starting a business: Minimum capital (% of income per capita)


sourceNote: The paid-in minimum capital requirement re?ects the amount that the entrepreneur needs to deposit in a bank or with a third-party before registration or up to three months after incorporation. It is calculated as percentage of income per capita. Any legal limitation of the company’s operations or decisions related to the payment of the minimum capital requirement is recorded. In case the legal minimum capital is provided per share, it is assumed 5 shareholders own the company and the legal minimum capital is multiplied by 5 shares. If an economy requires a minimum capital but allows businesses to pay only a part of it before registration, only this part is recorded.


IndicatorName: Procedures - Women (number)

Longdefinition: The number of procedures for women records all the procedures required in practice for five female married entrepreneurs to start and operate a local limited liability company. A procedure is de?ned as any interaction of the company founders with external parties or spouses (if legally required). Both pre- and post-incorporation procedures that are officially required or commonly done in practice are recorded.

name: Starting a business: Procedures required - Women (number)


sourceNote: The number of procedures for women records all the procedures required in practice for five female married entrepreneurs to start and operate a local limited liability company. A procedure is de?ned as any interaction of the company founders with external parties or spouses (if legally required). Both pre- and post-incorporation procedures that are officially required or commonly done in practice are recorded.


IndicatorName: Score-Procedures - Women (number)

Longdefinition: The score for the number of procedures for women benchmarks economies with respect to the regulatory best practice on the indicator. The score ranges from 0 to 100, where 0 represents the worst regulatory performance and 100 the best regulatory performance.

name: Starting a business: Procedures required - Women (number) - Score


sourceNote: The score for the number of procedures for women benchmarks economies with respect to the regulatory best practice on the indicator. The score ranges from 0 to 100, where 0 represents the worst regulatory performance and 100 the best regulatory performance.


IndicatorName: Procedures - Men (number)

Longdefinition: The number of procedures for men records all the procedures required in practice for five male married entrepreneurs to start and operate a local limited liability company. A procedure is de?ned as any interaction of the company founders with external parties.  Both pre- and post-incorporation procedures that are officially required or commonly done in practice are recorded.

name: Starting a business: Procedures required - Men (number)


sourceNote: The number of procedures for men records all the procedures required in practice for five male married entrepreneurs to start and operate a local limited liability company. A procedure is de?ned as any interaction of the company founders with external parties.  Both pre- and post-incorporation procedures that are officially required or commonly done in practice are recorded.


IndicatorName: Score-Procedures - Men (number)

Longdefinition: The score for the number of procedures for men benchmarks economies with respect to the regulatory best practice on the indicator. The score is indicated on a scale from 0 to 100, where 0 represents the worst regulatory performance and 100 the best regulatory performance.

name: Starting a business: Procedures required - Men (number) - Score


sourceNote: The score for the number of procedures for men benchmarks economies with respect to the regulatory best practice on the indicator. The score is indicated on a scale from 0 to 100, where 0 represents the worst regulatory performance and 100 the best regulatory performance.


Developmentrelevance: Registered property rights are necessary to support investment, productivity and growth. Cadasters or surveys, together with land registries, are tools used around the world to map, prove and secure property and use rights. Keeping an up-to-date land information system is crucial as land and buildings account for between half and three-quarters of the wealth in most economies. Implementing an effective property registration system makes local owners more likely to invest in the economy. Formal property markets also increase domestic stability and decrease the likelihood of evictions in poor, urban areas, which is beneficial for employment and productivity.

IndicatorName: Cost (% of property value)

Longdefinition: The cost is the total of official costs associated with completing the procedures to transfer the property, expressed as a percentage of the property value, assumed to be equivalent to 50 times income per capita. It is calculted as a percentage of the property value. Only official costs required by law are recorded, including fees, transfer taxes, stamp duties and any other payment to the property registry, notaries, public agencies or lawyers. Other taxes, such as capital gains tax or value added tax, are excluded from the cost measure. Both costs borne by the buyer and the seller are included. If cost estimates differ among sources, the median reported value is used.

name: Registering property: Cost (% of property value)


sourceNote: The cost is the total of official costs associated with completing the procedures to transfer the property, expressed as a percentage of the property value, assumed to be equivalent to 50 times income per capita. It is calculted as a percentage of the property value. Only official costs required by law are recorded, including fees, transfer taxes, stamp duties and any other payment to the property registry, notaries, public agencies or lawyers. Other taxes, such as capital gains tax or value added tax, are excluded from the cost measure. Both costs borne by the buyer and the seller are included. If cost estimates differ among sources, the median reported value is used.


IndicatorName: Score-Cost (% of property value)

Longdefinition: The score for cost benchmarks economies with respect to the regulatory best practice on the indicator. The score ranges from 0 to 100, where 0 represents the worst regulatory performance and 100 the best regulatory performance.

name: Registering property: Cost (% of property value) - Score


sourceNote: The score for cost benchmarks economies with respect to the regulatory best practice on the indicator. The score ranges from 0 to 100, where 0 represents the worst regulatory performance and 100 the best regulatory performance.


IndicatorName: Score-Registering property (DB05-15 methodology)

Longdefinition: The score for registering property is the simple average of the scores for each of the component indicators: the procedures, time, cost to transfer property between two local companies, as well as the quality of land administration index that evaluates the reliability of infrastructure, transparency of information, geographic coverage, land dispute resolution and equal access to property rights. The score is computed based on the methodology in the DB05-15 studies.

name: Registering property (DB05-15 methodology) - Score


sourceNote: The score for registering property is the simple average of the scores for each of the component indicators: the procedures, time, cost to transfer property between two local companies, as well as the quality of land administration index that evaluates the reliability of infrastructure, transparency of information, geographic coverage, land dispute resolution and equal access to property rights. The score is computed based on the methodology in the DB05-15 studies.


IndicatorName: Score-Registering property (DB17-20 methodology)

Longdefinition: The score for registering property is the simple average of the scores for each of the component indicators: the procedures, time, cost to transfer property between two local companies, as well as the quality of land administration index that evaluates the reliability of infrastructure, transparency of information, geographic coverage, land dispute resolution and equal access to property rights. The score is computed based on the methodology in the DB17-20 studies.

name: Registering property (DB17-20 methodology) - Score


sourceNote: The score for registering property is the simple average of the scores for each of the component indicators: the procedures, time, cost to transfer property between two local companies, as well as the quality of land administration index that evaluates the reliability of infrastructure, transparency of information, geographic coverage, land dispute resolution and equal access to property rights. The score is computed based on the methodology in the DB17-20 studies.


Registering property: Time (days)

sourceNote: The number of procedures records all the procedures necessary for a business (the buyer) to purchase a property from another business (the seller) and to transfer the property title to the buyer’s name so that the buyer can use the property for expanding its business, use the property as collateral in taking new loans or, if necessary, sell the property to another business. A procedure is defined as any interaction that is legally or in practice required between the buyer, the seller or their agents (if required) and external parties, including government agencies, inspectors, notaries and lawyers.


name: Registering property: Time (days) - Score

sourceNote: The score for the number of procedures benchmarks economies with respect to the regulatory best practice on the indicator. The score ranges from 0 to 100, where 0 represents the worst regulatory performance and 100 the best regulatory performance.


Longdefinition: The equal access to property rights index evaluates whether married or unmarried women have equal access to property rights. It has two components: (i) whether unmarried men and unmarried women have equal ownership rights to property; and (ii) whether married men and married women have equal ownership rights to property. The index is computed based on the methodology in the DB17-20 studies.

name: Registering property: Equal access to property rights index (-2-0) (DB17-20 methodology)


IndicatorName: Equal access to property rights index (-2-0) (DB17-20 methodology)

sourceNote: The equal access to property rights index evaluates whether married or unmarried women have equal access to property rights. It has two components: (i) whether unmarried men and unmarried women have equal ownership rights to property; and (ii) whether married men and married women have equal ownership rights to property. The index is computed based on the methodology in the DB17-20 studies.


IndicatorName: Geographic coverage index (0-8) (DB17-20 methodology)

Longdefinition: The geographic coverage index assesses the extent to which the land registry and cadastre provide complete geographic coverage of privately held land parcels. It has four components: (i) how complete the coverage of the land registry is at the level of the largest business city; (ii) how complete the coverage of the land registry is at the level of the economy; (iii) how complete the coverage of the mapping agency is at the level of the largest business city; and (iv) how complete the coverage of the mapping agency is at the level of the economy. The index is computed based on the methodology in the DB17-20 studies.

name: Registering property: Geographic coverage index (0-8) (DB16-20 methodology)


sourceNote: The geographic coverage index assesses the extent to which the land registry and cadastre provide complete geographic coverage of privately held land parcels. It has four components: (i) how complete the coverage of the land registry is at the level of the largest business city; (ii) how complete the coverage of the land registry is at the level of the economy; (iii) how complete the coverage of the mapping agency is at the level of the largest business city; and (iv) how complete the coverage of the mapping agency is at the level of the economy. The index is computed based on the methodology in the DB17-20 studies.


IndicatorName: Land dispute resolution index (0-8) (DB17-20 methodology)

Longdefinition: The land dispute resolution index measures the accessibility of conflict resolution mechanisms and the extent of liability for entities or agents recording land transactions. It has eight components: (i) whether the law requires that all property sale transactions be registered at the immovable property registry to make them opposable to third parties; (ii) whether the formal system of immovable property registration is subject to a guarantee; (iii) whether there is a specific, out-of-court compensation mechanism to cover for losses incurred by parties who engaged in good faith in a property transaction based on erroneous information certified by the immovable property registry; (iv) whether the legal system requires verification of the legal validity of the documents (such as the sales, transfer or conveyance deed) necessary for a property transaction; (v) whether the legal system requires verification of the identity of the parties to a property transaction; (vi) whether there is a national database to verify the accuracy of identity documents; (vii) how much time it takes to obtain a decision from a court of first instance (without an appeal) in a standard land dispute between two local businesses over tenure rights worth 50 times income per capita and located in the largest business city; and (viii) whether there are publicly available statistics on the number of land disputes in the first instance. The index is computed based on the methodology in the DB17-20 studies.

name: Registering property: Land dispute resolution index (0-8) (DB16-20 methodology)


sourceNote: The land dispute resolution index measures the accessibility of conflict resolution mechanisms and the extent of liability for entities or agents recording land transactions. It has eight components: (i) whether the law requires that all property sale transactions be registered at the immovable property registry to make them opposable to third parties; (ii) whether the formal system of immovable property registration is subject to a guarantee; (iii) whether there is a specific, out-of-court compensation mechanism to cover for losses incurred by parties who engaged in good faith in a property transaction based on erroneous information certified by the immovable property registry; (iv) whether the legal system requires verification of the legal validity of the documents (such as the sales, transfer or conveyance deed) necessary for a property transaction; (v) whether the legal system requires verification of the identity of the parties to a property transaction; (vi) whether there is a national database to verify the accuracy of identity documents; (vii) how much time it takes to obtain a decision from a court of first instance (without an appeal) in a standard land dispute between two local businesses over tenure rights worth 50 times income per capita and located in the largest business city; and (viii) whether there are publicly available statistics on the number of land disputes in the first instance. The index is computed based on the methodology in the DB17-20 studies.