Corruption index reveals worst scores in over a decade, S Sudan falls to bottom

A global corruption index released today (11 February) revealed that numerous countries, including major powers like the United States and France, as well as authoritarian states such as Russia and Venezuela, recorded their worst performance in more than a decade.

According to Transparency International's annual Corruption Perceptions Index, 47 out of the 180 surveyed nations received their lowest scores since the organization adopted its current ranking methodology in 2012. The 2024 report warned that corruption remains alarmingly high worldwide, with efforts to curb it losing momentum.

The watchdog highlighted how corruption poses risks to global climate action, noting that weak transparency and accountability increase the likelihood of climate funds being misused. It also pointed out how undue private sector influence often obstructs ambitious policy decisions.

The index assesses public sector corruption using 13 data sources, including reports from the World Bank and the World Economic Forum. Countries are scored from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean). The global average remained stagnant at 43, with more than two-thirds of nations scoring below 50.

Denmark retained its top spot with 90 points, followed by Finland (88) and Singapore (84). New Zealand slipped from third to fourth place after dropping two points to 83.

At the bottom, South Sudan fell to the lowest ranking with just eight points, pushing Somalia—now at nine points—one place higher. Venezuela (10) and Syria (12) followed closely.

The United States saw a decline from 69 to 65 points, dropping from 24th to 28th place. Transparency International cited concerns over judicial integrity, particularly the U.S. Supreme Court's new ethics code, which lacks strong enforcement measures.

Other Western nations also saw declines, including France, which dropped four points to 67, slipping to 25th place, and Germany, which fell three points to 75, now sharing 15th place with Canada.

Mexico's score fell by five points to 26, with the judiciary failing to act on major corruption cases. Transparency International noted that despite former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador's anti-corruption promises, his term ended without any significant convictions or asset recoveries.

Slovakia's score declined by five points to 49 under Prime Minister Robert Fico's leadership, as key anti-corruption measures were weakened.

Russia continued its downward trajectory, dropping four points to 22. Transparency International attributed this to growing authoritarianism following Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. However, Ukraine, despite losing one point to 35, was praised for making progress in judicial independence and high-level corruption cases.

In the Middle East and North Africa, corruption remained widespread as leaders tightened control while benefiting financially and suppressing dissent. Sub-Saharan Africa had the lowest regional average score at 33.

Meanwhile, the Asia-Pacific region showed little progress, with governments failing to fulfill their anti-corruption promises, the report concluded.