KATHMANDU : Nepal has again slipped five ranks in the Rule of Law Index-2016 prepared by the World Justice Project (WJP). Nepal has been placed in the 63rd position while it was in the 58th last year. The performance was measured using 44 indicators accross eight primary rule of law factors including constraints and government powers, absense of corruption, open government, fundamental right, order and security, regulatory enforcement, civil justice and criminal justice. Nepal's decline from its previous position was primarily driven by a downturn in the area of order and security, a press release issued by the Washington-based organisation mentioned. However, the Himalayan nation is still ahead of all other SAARC countries that figure in the study. Bhutan and the Maldives were not included in the study. The bottom performer in the SAARC region is Afghanistan. Likewise, Nepal was ranked second between 12 low income countries. Denmark, Norway and Finland have ranked first, second and third respectively, whereas Venezuela, Cambodia and Afghanistan are the least performers. The WJP is an independent and multidisciplinary organisation working to advance the rule of law around the world.