Corruption Perceptions Index Score 2018
Corruption Perceptions Index Score ranks countries on perceived corruption. Higher scores indicate less corruption.
Interactive Map
Complete Data Rankings
Rank | Actions | ||
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Denmark | 88 index | |
2 | New Zealand | 87 index | |
3 | Finland | 85 index | |
4 | Singapore | 85 index | |
5 | Sweden | 85 index | |
6 | Switzerland | 85 index | |
7 | Norway | 84 index | |
8 | Netherlands | 82 index | |
9 | Canada | 81 index | |
10 | Luxembourg | 81 index | |
11 | Germany | 80 index | |
12 | United Kingdom | 80 index | |
13 | Australia | 77 index | |
14 | Austria | 76 index | |
15 | China, Hong Kong SAR | 76 index | |
16 | Iceland | 76 index | |
17 | Belgium | 75 index | |
18 | Estonia | 73 index | |
19 | Ireland | 73 index | |
20 | Japan | 73 index | |
21 | France | 72 index | |
22 | United States | 71 index | |
23 | United Arab Emirates | 70 index | |
24 | Uruguay | 70 index | |
25 | Barbados | 68 index | |
26 | Bhutan | 68 index | |
27 | Chile | 67 index | |
28 | Seychelles | 66 index | |
29 | Bahamas | 65 index | |
30 | Portugal | 64 index | |
31 | Brunei Darussalam | 63 index | |
32 | Taiwan | 63 index | |
33 | Qatar | 62 index | |
34 | Botswana | 61 index | |
35 | Israel | 61 index | |
36 | Poland | 60 index | |
37 | Slovenia | 60 index | |
38 | Cyprus | 59 index | |
39 | Czech Republic | 59 index | |
40 | Lithuania | 59 index | |
41 | Georgia | 58 index | |
42 | Latvia | 58 index | |
43 | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | 58 index | |
44 | Spain | 58 index | |
45 | Cabo Verde | 57 index | |
46 | Dominica | 57 index | |
47 | South Korea | 57 index | |
48 | Costa Rica | 56 index | |
49 | Rwanda | 56 index | |
50 | Saint Lucia | 55 index | |
51 | Malta | 54 index | |
52 | Namibia | 53 index | |
53 | Grenada | 52 index | |
54 | Italy | 52 index | |
55 | Oman | 52 index | |
56 | Mauritius | 51 index | |
57 | Slovakia | 50 index | |
58 | Jordan | 49 index | |
59 | Saudi Arabia | 49 index | |
60 | Croatia | 48 index | |
61 | Cuba | 47 index | |
62 | Malaysia | 47 index | |
63 | Romania | 47 index | |
64 | Hungary | 46 index | |
65 | Sao Tome and Principe | 46 index | |
66 | Vanuatu | 46 index | |
67 | Greece | 45 index | |
68 | Montenegro | 45 index | |
69 | Senegal | 45 index | |
70 | Belarus | 44 index | |
71 | Jamaica | 44 index | |
72 | Solomon Islands | 44 index | |
73 | Morocco | 43 index | |
74 | South Africa | 43 index | |
75 | Suriname | 43 index | |
76 | Tunisia | 43 index | |
77 | Bulgaria | 42 index | |
78 | Burkina Faso | 41 index | |
79 | Ghana | 41 index | |
80 | India | 41 index | |
81 | Kuwait | 41 index | |
82 | Lesotho | 41 index | |
83 | Trinidad and Tobago | 41 index | |
84 | Turkey | 41 index | |
85 | Argentina | 40 index | |
86 | Benin | 40 index | |
87 | China | 39 index | |
88 | Serbia | 39 index | |
89 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 38 index | |
90 | Eswatini | 38 index | |
91 | Indonesia | 38 index | |
92 | Sri Lanka | 38 index | |
93 | Gambia | 37 index | |
94 | Guyana | 37 index | |
95 | Mongolia | 37 index | |
96 | North Macedonia | 37 index | |
97 | Panama | 37 index | |
98 | Albania | 36 index | |
99 | Bahrain | 36 index | |
100 | Colombia | 36 index | |
101 | Philippines | 36 index | |
102 | Tanzania | 36 index | |
103 | Thailand | 36 index | |
104 | Armenia | 35 index | |
105 | Algeria | 35 index | |
106 | Brazil | 35 index | |
107 | Cรดte d'Ivoire | 35 index | |
108 | Timor-Leste | 35 index | |
109 | Egypt | 35 index | |
110 | El Salvador | 35 index | |
111 | Peru | 35 index | |
112 | Zambia | 35 index | |
113 | Ecuador | 34 index | |
114 | Ethiopia | 34 index | |
115 | Niger | 34 index | |
116 | Republic of Moldova | 33 index | |
117 | Pakistan | 33 index | |
118 | Vietnam | 33 index | |
119 | Liberia | 32 index | |
120 | Malawi | 32 index | |
121 | Mali | 32 index | |
122 | Ukraine | 32 index | |
123 | Djibouti | 31 index | |
124 | Gabon | 31 index | |
125 | Kazakhstan | 31 index | |
126 | Maldives | 31 index | |
127 | Nepal | 31 index | |
128 | Dominican Republic | 30 index | |
129 | Sierra Leone | 30 index | |
130 | Togo | 30 index | |
131 | Bolivia | 29 index | |
132 | Honduras | 29 index | |
133 | Kyrgyzstan | 29 index | |
134 | Laos | 29 index | |
135 | Myanmar | 29 index | |
136 | Paraguay | 29 index | |
137 | Guinea | 28 index | |
138 | Iran | 28 index | |
139 | Lebanon | 28 index | |
140 | Mexico | 28 index | |
141 | Papua New Guinea | 28 index | |
142 | Russia | 28 index | |
143 | Comoros | 27 index | |
144 | Guatemala | 27 index | |
145 | Kenya | 27 index | |
146 | Mauritania | 27 index | |
147 | Nigeria | 27 index | |
148 | Bangladesh | 26 index | |
149 | Central African Republic | 26 index | |
150 | Uganda | 26 index | |
151 | Azerbaijan | 25 index | |
152 | Cameroon | 25 index | |
153 | Madagascar | 25 index | |
154 | Nicaragua | 25 index | |
155 | Tajikistan | 25 index | |
156 | Eritrea | 24 index | |
157 | Mozambique | 23 index | |
158 | Uzbekistan | 23 index | |
159 | Zimbabwe | 22 index | |
160 | Cambodia | 20 index | |
161 | Congo, Democratic Republic of the | 20 index | |
162 | Haiti | 20 index | |
163 | Turkmenistan | 20 index | |
164 | Angola | 19 index | |
165 | Chad | 19 index | |
166 | Congo | 19 index | |
167 | Iraq | 18 index | |
168 | Venezuela | 18 index | |
169 | Burundi | 17 index | |
170 | Libya | 17 index | |
171 | Afghanistan | 16 index | |
172 | Equatorial Guinea | 16 index | |
173 | Guinea-Bissau | 16 index | |
174 | Sudan | 16 index | |
175 | North Korea | 14 index | |
176 | Yemen | 14 index | |
177 | South Sudan | 13 index | |
178 | Syrian Arab Republic | 13 index | |
179 | Somalia | 10 index |
- #1
Denmark
- #2
New Zealand
- #3
Finland
- #4
Singapore
- #5
Sweden
- #6
Switzerland
- #7
Norway
- #8
Netherlands
- #9
Canada
- #10
Luxembourg
Analysis: These countries represent the highest values in this dataset, showcasing significant scale and impact on global statistics.
- #179
Somalia
- #178
Syrian Arab Republic
- #177
South Sudan
- #176
Yemen
- #175
North Korea
- #174
Sudan
- #173
Guinea-Bissau
- #172
Equatorial Guinea
- #171
Afghanistan
- #170
Libya
Context: These countries or territories have the lowest values, often due to geographic size, administrative status, or specific characteristics.
Analysis & Context
The Corruption Perceptions Index Score in 2018 saw Denmark leading the world with a score of 88, while the global range spanned from a minimum of 10 to a maximum of 88. The global average score was 43.15, providing a benchmark for evaluating individual country performances.
Top Performers and Their Success Factors
The countries with the highest Corruption Perceptions Index Scores in 2018 include Denmark (88), New Zealand (87), and Switzerland (85). These nations share common attributes such as strong institutions, transparent governance, and robust legal frameworks. Denmark, for instance, is known for its effective public sector and low levels of bureaucratic corruption, which contribute to its top ranking. Similarly, New Zealand has consistently ranked high due to its strict anti-corruption laws and public access to governmental information.
Other countries like Sweden, Finland, and Singapore, each with a score of 85, also exemplify how systemic checks and balances, along with a culture of accountability, can diminish corruption. Singapore, in particular, employs a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption, which has been pivotal in its high ranking.
Challenges Faced by the Lowest Scorers
At the opposite end of the spectrum, countries such as Somalia (10), South Sudan (13), and the Syrian Arab Republic (13) face significant challenges. These nations are often plagued by political instability, ongoing conflict, and weak institutions, which exacerbate corruption levels. In Somalia, the absence of a stable government has led to pervasive corruption that stifles development and governance. Similarly, South Sudan struggles with corruption due to prolonged civil unrest and a lack of transparent governance structures.
In countries like North Korea (14) and Yemen (14), closed political systems and limited freedom of expression further entrench corrupt practices, making reform efforts particularly challenging.
Year-over-Year Trends and Notable Changes
The year-over-year changes in the Corruption Perceptions Index Score reveal significant shifts, with Oman experiencing the largest increase of 8.00 points, an 18.2% improvement. This change can be attributed to enhanced anti-corruption measures and economic reforms aimed at improving transparency. The Gambia, with a 7.00 point rise, has also made notable progress, reflecting its efforts to strengthen democratic governance and reduce corruption following a change in political leadership.
Conversely, Azerbaijan saw the most substantial decline, dropping by 6.00 points, or -19.4%. This decrease may be linked to ongoing challenges in governance and transparency, despite efforts to improve its international reputation. The United States also experienced a notable decline of 4.00 points, highlighting concerns about political integrity and the influence of money in politics.
Global Insights and Implications
The 2018 Corruption Perceptions Index underscores the varied landscape of corruption across the globe. The stark differences between the top and bottom performers illustrate the impact of governance quality and institutional strength on corruption levels. Countries with high scores typically benefit from robust legal systems and transparent bureaucracies, which are critical in fostering economic growth and social stability.
The data also suggests that political and economic reforms can lead to significant improvements, as seen in Oman and The Gambia. However, for countries at the lower end of the index, like Somalia and South Sudan, achieving similar progress requires addressing deep-rooted structural issues, including conflict resolution and building institutional capacity.
Overall, the Corruption Perceptions Index Score in 2018 highlights the ongoing global challenges and successes in combating corruption, serving as a critical tool for policymakers and organizations aiming to promote transparency and accountability worldwide.
Frequently Asked Questions About Corruption Perceptions Index Score in 2018
Which country had the highest Corruption Perceptions Index Score in 2018?
Denmark had the highest Corruption Perceptions Index Score in 2018 with a score of 88.
What was the lowest Corruption Perceptions Index Score recorded in 2018?
The lowest Corruption Perceptions Index Score in 2018 was 10, recorded by Somalia.
What was the average Corruption Perceptions Index Score across all countries in 2018?
The average Corruption Perceptions Index Score across all countries in 2018 was 43.15.
What was the median Corruption Perceptions Index Score in 2018?
The median Corruption Perceptions Index Score in 2018 was 38.
Which countries were in the top 10 for the Corruption Perceptions Index Score in 2018?
The top 10 countries in 2018 were Denmark, New Zealand, Switzerland, Sweden, Finland, Singapore, Norway, Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Canada.
How many countries were included in the Corruption Perceptions Index Score dataset for 2018?
The dataset for the Corruption Perceptions Index Score in 2018 included 179 countries.
Insights by country
France
In 2018, France achieved a Corruption Perceptions Index Score of 72 index, ranking #21 out of 179 countries. This score is above the European average, reflecting a relatively low level of perceived corruption compared to many of its neighbors. Key factors contributing to this perception include France's robust legal framework, active civil society, and ongoing government reforms aimed at increasing transparency and accountability.
Namibia
In 2018, Namibia achieved a Corruption Perceptions Index Score of 53 index, ranking #52 out of 179 countries. This score is relatively strong compared to the regional average for Sub-Saharan Africa, where many countries struggle with higher levels of corruption. Factors contributing to Namibia's performance include its relatively stable political environment and ongoing efforts to promote transparency and accountability in governance.
Maldives
In 2018, the Maldives had a Corruption Perceptions Index Score of 31 index, ranking #126 out of 179 countries. This score is notably lower than the global average, indicating significant challenges in governance and transparency. Factors contributing to this situation include political instability, a history of authoritarian rule, and allegations of corruption within the government and judiciary, which undermine public trust and accountability.
Angola
In 2018, Angola had a Corruption Perceptions Index Score of 19 index, ranking #164 out of 179 countries. This score places Angola among the lowest globally, reflecting significant challenges in governance compared to regional peers like Namibia, which scored considerably higher. The pervasive corruption in Angola can be attributed to a combination of factors, including a history of prolonged civil conflict, a lack of transparency in the management of oil revenues, and weak institutional frameworks.
Sweden
In 2018, Sweden achieved a Corruption Perceptions Index Score of 85 index, ranking #5 out of 179 countries. This score is significantly higher than the global average, reflecting Sweden's strong governance and low levels of corruption compared to many nations. Key drivers of this high score include a robust legal framework, transparency in public administration, and active civil society engagement that promotes accountability.
Niger
Niger had a Corruption Perceptions Index Score of 34 index in 2018, ranking #115 out of 179 countries. This score is significantly lower than the global average, indicating widespread corruption challenges within the nation. Key drivers of Niger's corruption issues include weak governance structures, limited institutional capacity, and ongoing political instability, which hinder effective law enforcement and accountability measures.
Albania
In 2018, Albania had a Corruption Perceptions Index Score of 36 index, ranking #98 out of 179 countries. This score is significantly lower than the regional average for Southeast Europe, indicating persistent challenges in governance and transparency. Factors contributing to this score include a history of political instability, weak institutional frameworks, and ongoing issues with organized crime, which hinder effective anti-corruption efforts.
Philippines
The Philippines ranked #101 with a 36 index on the Corruption Perceptions Index Score in 2018. This score is notably lower than the regional average for Southeast Asia, indicating significant challenges in governance and transparency compared to neighboring countries like Malaysia, which scored higher.
Key drivers of this score include issues such as political instability, widespread patronage networks, and inadequate enforcement of anti-corruption laws, which hinder efforts to improve public trust and institutional integrity.
Mongolia
Mongolia had a Corruption Perceptions Index Score of 37 index in 2018, ranking #95 out of 179 countries. This score reflects challenges in governance, particularly when compared to the regional average in East Asia, where many countries score higher. Key drivers of this perception include issues related to political instability and the influence of mining revenues, which have complicated regulatory frameworks and transparency efforts.
Turkmenistan
In 2018, Turkmenistan had a Corruption Perceptions Index Score of 20 index, ranking #163 out of 179 countries. This score places Turkmenistan among the lowest globally, reflecting significant challenges in governance compared to regional neighbors, many of which score higher. The pervasive corruption in the country is driven by a lack of political pluralism and transparency, compounded by state control over key economic sectors, limiting accountability and fostering an environment where corrupt practices thrive.
Data Source
Corruption Perceptions Index | Our World in Data
The Corruption Perceptions Index, compiled by Transparency International and featured on Our World in Data, measures the perceived levels of public sector corruption in various countries. It provides country-level statistics that reflect the perceptions of businesspeople and experts regarding corruption, using a scale from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean).
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