The 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) paints a sobering picture of global governance. Transparency International measured perceived public-sector corruption in 182 countries, and the global average fell to 42/100, the lowest in more than a decade. Most countries are struggling: 122 out of 180 scored below 50, showing widespread corruption challenges. Only five countries scored above 80, compared to 12 a decade ago. Denmark leads again with 89, while Somalia and South Sudan sit at the bottom with 9 each.
Key Highlights
- Top performers: Denmark (89), Finland (88), Singapore (84), New Zealand (81), Norway (81).
- Major democracies slipping: United States (64), Canada (75), United Kingdom (70), France (66), Sweden (80), New Zealand (81).
- Lowest scorers: Venezuela (10), Somalia (9), South Sudan (9).
Global Trends
- Democracy matters: Full democracies average 71, flawed democracies 47, authoritarian regimes 32.
- Civic space is critical: Countries with open civic space average 68, while those with closed civic space average just 30.
- Declines since 2012: 50 countries worsened, including Venezuela, Syria, Hungary, and South Sudan, where corruption has become systemic.
Consequences
The report links corruption to weakened institutions, poor public services, and rising inequality. It notes that restrictions on civic freedoms often coincide with declining CPI scores. For example, Georgia (50), Indonesia (34), Peru (30), and Tunisia (39) have seen governments limit NGO activity and intimidate journalists, worsening corruption risks.
Recommendations
Transparency International urges governments to:
- Protect independent justice systems.
- Ensure transparency in political finance and lobbying.
- Safeguard civic space and media freedom.
- Strengthen oversight of public spending.
- Cooperate internationally to combat illicit financial flows.
One striking line from the report captures the urgency: “At a time of climate crisis, instability and polarisation, the world needs accountable leaders and independent institutions to protect the public interest more than ever – yet, too often, they are falling short.”
Would you like me to create a regional comparison table (e.g., Americas vs. Europe vs. Africa) so you can see how different parts of the world stack up against each other?
Excerpted from AI
Reflections 