The world's most and least corrupt countries exposed
Let’s take a look at the world’s most, and least, corrupt places.
From bribery to backroom deals and even rigged elections, corruption continues to run rife through some of the world’s most prominent countries. Transparency International’s annual Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) reveals how each country scores. Let’s take a look at the world’s most, and least, corrupt places.
The least corrupt nations
United States
Corruption score: 74 (out of 100, where 100 equals no corruption)
In spite of the recent financial crisis and struggles within the government, the United States remains on the positive end of the rankings. This is largely thanks to extensive anti-corruption legislation.
Ireland
Corruption score: 74
After several political controversies in the past, Ireland has managed to stay within the top 20. Although there have been cases of fraud, corruption and bribery within the nation, it’s worked hard to get back on track.
Hong Kong
Corruption score:74
While Hong Kong enjoys a top 20 placing on the index, it's the second year in the row the Asian nation has slipped in the rankings. The reason? A few big corruption cases, but overall levels remain fairly low.
Photo: Iakov Kalinin / Shutterstock.com
Barbados
Corruption score: 74
Barbados can enjoy the title of the least corrupt country in the Caribbean. It’s all thanks to low levels of bribery and fraud in the business sector, while the government has maintained commitments to provide strong social services.
Japan
Corruption score: 76
The Japanese are fortunate to live a life relatively free of corruption in both the economic and political sphere. However, the county is let down by a practice called “amakudari” where senior politicians retire to executive or high-profile positions within the corporate realm, in particular within the pharmaceutical, transportation, and construction sectors.
Belgium
Corruption score: 76
Belgium enjoys a relatively low perception of corruption in the political sector. The public’s trust in civil service and in the judiciary is also high. However, it’s claimed that more protection is needed for whistleblowers.
United Kingdom
Corruption score: 78
Despite some well-publicised political slip-ups, the UK remains on the straight and narrow when it comes to corruption. This is largely due to its strong and effective anti-corruption legislation.
Iceland
Corruption score: 79
Although Iceland suffered from the fallout of the 2008 financial crisis it still enjoys a low level of corruption. Nepotism in the political world has been cited as an area it needs to improve.
Photo: Rudy Balasko / Shutterstock.com
Germany
Corruption score: 79
With a strong legal system and anti-corruption laws, Germany sits high in the CPI rankings. Keeping it out of the top 10 however are claims of corruption in the health, construction and public procurement sectors.
Canada
Corruption score: 81
Despite its high ranking, 30% of business executives claimed that bribery and corruption are an issue, with the nation not having any significant anti-bribery measures in place.
Australia
Corruption score: 80
While the nation’s ruling political party was recently overthrown and a new prime minister put in place, Australia’s corruption levels remain low. However, the country has no significant anti-corruption legislation in place currently.
Photo: Dan Breckwoldt / Shutterstock.com
Luxembourg
Corruption score: 82
The population of Luxembourg don’t have the best perception of their political parties, with many claiming they’re corrupt. Despite this Transparency International believes corruption is low.
Netherlands
Corruption score: 83
The Netherlands has an independent judiciary and strong anti-corruption legislation.
Singapore
Corruption score: 84
Despite many of its neighbouring countries ranking poorly on the CPI, Singapore is moving forward, implementing harsh measures to ensure corruption stays low.
Switzerland
Corruption score: 86
Like Luxembourg, the Swiss don’t have the best opinion of their political parties with many believing them to be corrupt. However, that isn’t reflected in the Transparency International rankings.
Norway
Corruption score: 86
Corruption cases in any form are almost unheard of in Norway. What’s more, both companies and individuals can be prosecuted for corruption offences committed abroad.
Sweden
Corruption score: 87
Sweden is known for its effective anti-corruption laws with many government agencies characterised by a high degree of transparency.
Photo: Oleksiy Mark / Shutterstock.com
Finland
Corruption score: 89
Ranked number three on the list for a very good reason: there is virtually a non-existent level of corruption in Finland thanks to a strong anti-corruption framework.
New Zealand
Corruption score: 91
With a strong and respected government, clear and open elections, this small island country is just one point behind first place.
Photo: Martin Dworschak / Shutterstock.com
Denmark
Corruption score: 92
Known for demanding transparency within the government and increased corporate responsibility, Denmark is ranked the least corrupt country in the world.
The most corrupt nations
Now let's look at the worst nations for corruption.
Zimbabwe
Corruption score: 21
Corruption is embedded deep within Zimbabwe’s political, private and civil sectors. In 2011, finance minister Tendai Biti claimed that at least $1 billion in diamond-related revenue owed to the national treasury remains unaccounted for.
Myanmar
Corruption score: 21
The dominance of the nation’s largest ethnic group, the Burman people, over the country's many minorities has led to a series of long-running rebellions. The public officials regulating mining and oil have, in the past, been accused of transferring public revenue to their personal overseas bank accounts.
Cambodia
Corruption score: 21
Cambodia has had a long line of corrupt political figures tarnishing their government. For years political and business leaders have exploited the country’s finances for personal profit.
Syria
Corruption score: 20
Despite being the third most corrupt country in the Middle East, Syria is finally making a step in the right direction, with the nation’s courts hearing a series of cases against officials accused of corruption and mismanagement. However, the rise of Isis across the country means an uncertain future.
Burundi
Corruption score: 20
Since becoming a republic in 1966, this East African nation has seen high levels of corruption. The main culprits are the regional police, revenue authorities and the judiciary system.
Photo: giulio napolitano / Shutterstock.com
Yemen
Corruption score: 19
Political corruption has been the major downfall of Yemen, crippling its economy. Those hit the hardest are small business owners who are often unable to operate successfully due the constant slew of fines they are charged by the police and government officials.
Venezuela
Corruption score: 19
Despite the 30th largest economy in the world, Venezuela is constantly finding its way onto the world’s most corrupt list. Though President Nicolas Maduro promised fighting corruption is a priority of his government, the country is yet to see the fruits of his labour.
Haiti
Corruption score: 19
This Caribbean country has a long history of corruption. With the fourth highest unemployment rate in the world, dodgy dealings and crime are rife in the country’s towns and cities. Unfortunately, the government isn’t much better and those who speak out usually find themselves thrown in jail.
Guinea-Bissau
Corruption score: 19
Located on West Africa’s Atlantic coast this small country has just ended a two-month political crisis by finally swearing in a new cabinet. Operating without a government since early August left the nation open to crooked dealings, with Guinea-Bissau a known major transit point for cocaine.
Angola
Corruption score: 19
The African nation that boarders Namibia, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo can thank years of widespread government corruption for its ranking. According to a Human Rights Watch report, $32 billion in oil revenue has gone missing since 2010.
Uzbekistan
Corruption score: 18
While Uzbekistan’s economy remained fairly stable through the financial crisis that crippled Europe, the nation still ranks high in levels of corruption. This is due to the vast majority of the country’s power residing within an executive branch – making it ripe for bribery and personal profit.
Libya
Corruption score: 18
Despite the death of former president Muammar Gaddafi, Libya remains in turmoil. As yet no formal government has been installed and fighting between rebels and those loyal to the former party still takes place. This has left the nation wide open to arms dealers and corrupt military.
Eritrea
Corruption score: 18
Despite being a democracy on paper, Eritrea is ruled by a single party with undeveloped legal, economic and political policies in place. As a result, many of its 6.3 million population live in poverty.
Photo: Matej Hudovernik / Shutterstock.com
Turkmenistan
Corruption score: 17
Boarded by Iran, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan is surrounded by a slew of volatile nations. It is fortunate enough to have vast reserves of crude oil and natural gas to supplement the economy, but misuse of state revenues by the government has driven away investors.
Iraq
Corruption score: 16
When Islamic State of Iraq (ISIL) captured Iraq’s second largest city Mosul, the country was understandably shaken and today it still struggles to regain control. Political corruption remains this country’s biggest challenge with the institutional reforms that were supposed to take place after 2011 still not in place.
South Sudan
Corruption score: 15
Only officially declaring independence in 2011, South Sudan is one of the world’s youngest countries. Sadly, conflicts have led to the deaths of 2.5 million people. Due to its youth, South Sudan doesn’t have a traditional long-standing government structure which has led to corrupt politicians seizing power.
Photo: punghi / Shutterstock.com
Afghanistan
Corruption score: 12
With a long and controversial history, Afghanistan lies in the middle of a hotbed of corruption and conflict thanks to its neighboring countries. The nation’s central government lacks power due to challenges from the Taliban and Al-Qaeda. Former president Hamid Karzai has been accused of taking ‘secret money’ from the American military.
Sudan
Corruption score: 11
Long-standing violent conflicts within its own nation has been one of Sudan’s greatest downfalls. Sadly, as a result approximately 65% of the country’s people live below the poverty line. The government is ruled by the National Congress Party, which has been in power since 1989 and has failed to resolve any of Sudan’s long-standing issues.
North Korea
Corruption score: 8
It won’t be a surprise to see North Korea come in equal first on the list. Ruled by Kim Jong-Un, the country is the epitome of dictatorship with its government dealings shrouded in mystery. Military spending outweighs that on social aid and it remains commonplace for citizens to be sent to prison camps with little to no legal process.
Photo: Astrelok / Shutterstock.com
Somalia
Corruption score: 8/100
Many simply associate Somalia with the pirates who are currently dominating the Indian Ocean. Unfortunately, that’s not where the country’s bad news ends. With no solid government structure in place it makes any long-term planning near impossible. The World Bank states that only 29% of the population is enrolled in school and the country has a life expectancy of only 55 years.
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