Key facts
- France had approximately 11 professional judges per 100,000 people in 2022, significantly below the EU average of 22.
- Croatia, Slovenia, and Greece had the highest number of professional judges per 100,000 inhabitants in the EU in 2022.
- Ireland, Denmark, and Malta had the fewest EU judges per 100,000 inhabitants in 2022.
- The EU experienced a nearly 12% decrease in professional judges between 2019 and 2024.
- France's Justice Minister ordered a priority review of 70,000 ongoing cases involving violence against minors.
Mounting criticism of France's justice system, following the murder of an 11-year-old schoolgirl, has reignited debate over judicial resources across the European Union. The suspect in the girl's death had prior allegations that were allegedly not fully investigated, leading to public outrage and President Emmanuel Macron calling the lapses "unacceptable."
Data from the Council of Europe indicates that France had approximately 11 professional judges per 100,000 people in 2022, significantly lower than the EU average of 22. Overall, the EU has seen a nearly 12% decrease in the number of professional judges between 2019 and 2024, with 70,348 judges recorded in 2024.
Countries with legal systems influenced by Germanic law, which is highly inquisitorial and requires more judicial time per case, tend to have more judges. Croatia, Slovenia, and Greece reported the highest numbers of professional judges per 100,000 inhabitants in the EU in 2022. Wider Europe saw Monaco with over 102 judges per 100,000.
Conversely, countries with legal systems based on Nordic, common, or Napoleonic law generally have fewer judges. Ireland, Denmark, and Malta had the lowest numbers within the EU in 2022. The UK also reported low figures, with England and Wales having fewer than three judges per 100,000.
To address the decline in judicial applicants, countries like Austria, Germany, Lithuania, Portugal, and Romania have increased wages or improved working conditions. In France, Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin has instructed prosecutors to review 70,000 ongoing cases involving violence against minors as an "absolute priority."