New Delhi: Transparency International released the 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) on Tuesday, disclosing a list of the world’s most corrupt countries. The report emphasized minimal advancement in addressing public sector corruption, as the global average for CPI remained stagnant at 43 for the twelfth consecutive year.
The report said, “The 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) released today by Transparency International shows that most countries have made little to no progress in tackling public sector corruption.”
More than two-thirds of the 180 countries assessed received scores below 50 on the scale, signifying a high prevalence of corruption. The CPI assesses nations based on their perceived levels of public sector corruption, ranging from zero (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean).
The report added, “According to the Rule of Law Index, the world is experiencing a decline in the functioning of justice systems. Countries with the lowest scores in this index are also scoring very low on the CPI, highlighting a clear connection between access to justice and corruption. Both authoritarian regimes and democratic leaders undermining justice contribute to increasing impunity for corruption and, in some cases, even encourage it by removing consequences for wrongdoers.”
Which are the least corrupt countries?
Denmark maintains its position at the top of the index for the sixth year in a row, achieving a score of 90, attributed to its effective justice system.
Close behind, Finland and New Zealand secure the second and third positions with scores of 87 and 85, respectively.
This year’s top 10 countries on the index also feature Norway (84), Singapore (83), Sweden (82), Switzerland (82), the Netherlands (79), Germany (78), and Luxembourg (78).
Which are the most corrupt countries?
Securing the lowest positions in the index are Somalia (11), Venezuela (13), Syria (13), South Sudan (13), and Yemen (16). These nations are grappling with prolonged crises, mainly armed conflicts.
Following closely, Nicaragua (17), North Korea (17), Haiti (17), Equatorial Guinea (17), Turkmenistan (18), and Libya (18) are the subsequent least performing countries on the index.
Countries that declined and improved on the index
Since 2018, the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) scores of 12 nations have seen a noticeable decline. This includes countries across various income levels, encompassing both low and middle-income nations like El Salvador (31), Honduras (23), Liberia (25), Myanmar (20), Nicaragua (17), Sri Lanka (34), and Venezuela (13). Furthermore, upper-middle and high-income economies such as Argentina (37), Austria (71), Poland (54), Turkey (34), and the United Kingdom (71) have also observed a decrease in their CPI scores.
In the same time frame, eight countries have shown improvements in their Corruption Perceptions Index scores. These nations consist of Ireland (77), South Korea (63), Armenia (47), Vietnam (41), the Maldives (39), Moldova (42), Angola (33), and Uzbekistan (33).
Where does India stand?
In the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), India attained the 93rd position with a score of 39, as per the Transparency International report. India’s overall score showed little change, remaining at 40 in 2022, securing the 85th position.
On the other hand, Pakistan, with a score of 29, and Sri Lanka (34) faced challenges linked to their individual debt burdens and resulting political instability, as mentioned in the report.
Among India’s neighboring countries, Afghanistan and Myanmar achieved scores of 20, China secured a score of 42, Japan scored 73, and Bangladesh received a score of 24.