Corruption watchdog reports decline in anticorruption efforts globally

Transparency International Publishes 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index Report

The 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) report by Transparency International has revealed that the average global score on its index is at its lowest level in more than a decade, standing at 42 out of 100. The index assesses corruption based on expert and business executive assessments.

According to the report, the United States has seen a significant drop in its CPI score, falling from 65 in 2024 to 64. This decline is attributed to concerns over actions targeting independent voices and undermining judicial independence, as well as the weakening of enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

The report also notes that the Trump administration’s funding cuts for overseas aid have weakened global anticorruption efforts. The CPI score has dropped by 10 points over the past decade, with many countries failing to keep corruption under control.

However, some countries have shown significant improvement in their anti-corruption efforts. Estonia, the Seychelles, and South Korea are among the top performers, scoring 76, 68, and 63 respectively.

The report highlights that several democracies, including the United Kingdom and France, are experiencing a decline in performance in battling corruption. The worst-performing countries in the European Union were Bulgaria and Hungary, both scoring just 40.

Denmark remains the highest-ranked nation in the index for the eighth year running, followed by Finland and Singapore. At the bottom of the list are South Sudan and Somalia, with scores of nine points each.

The report also notes that Ukraine has made progress in its anti-corruption efforts, despite facing public anger over corruption allegations against those close to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s government. The watchdog praises the “civil society mobilisation” last year, which prompted Zelenskyy to backtrack on attempts to curb the independence of anticorruption bodies.

The 2025 CPI report provides a comprehensive assessment of corruption across countries and highlights areas for improvement in anti-corruption efforts worldwide.

Source: Al Jazeera