Denmark has been ranked as the least corrupt country in the world, followed by Finland, Singapore, and New Zealand, according to the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2024 released by Transparency International. The annual index, which assesses public sector corruption in 180 countries, showed that India slipped three positions from last year, now standing at 96th place.
India’s Declining Score and Global Standings
India’s CPI score dropped to 38 in 2024, compared to 39 in 2023 and 40 in 2022, indicating a downward trend in tackling corruption. Among its neighbours, Pakistan ranked 135th, Sri Lanka at 121st, Bangladesh at 149th, and China at 76th. The report highlights that many countries, including global powers like the United States, France, and Germany, experienced their worst corruption rankings in over a decade.
The United States dropped from 24th to 28th place, with its score declining from 69 to 65 points. France and Germany also recorded a drop, landing at 25th and 15th places, respectively. Meanwhile, Mexico fell five points due to the judiciary’s failure to act on corruption cases, while Russia’s score dropped further to 22 following its military invasion of Ukraine.
Most and Least Corrupt Countries
At the bottom of the list, South Sudan ranked as the most corrupt country, scoring just eight points, overtaking Somalia (9 points), Venezuela (10 points), and Syria (12 points). The report indicates that 148 countries have either stagnated or worsened in corruption rankings over the past decade.
Corruption’s Impact on Climate Action
The 2024 CPI report also sheds light on how corruption affects global efforts to combat climate change. It states that lack of transparency in managing climate funds increases the risk of misappropriation. Additionally, corporate influence on environmental policies obstructs initiatives aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and protecting vulnerable communities.
Transparency International emphasised that countries with higher CPI scores have the capacity to lead anti-corruption efforts in climate action. However, many of these nations instead support fossil fuel industries and provide financial havens for illicit wealth.
A Call for Stronger Global Anti-Corruption Measures
The report underscores that corruption is not just a governance issue, but a major driver of declining democracy, instability, and human rights violations. Transparency International urged world leaders to prioritise anti-corruption measures, warning that failure to act could further strengthen authoritarian regimes and worsen global crises.
“This is crucial to pushing back against authoritarianism and securing a peaceful, free, and sustainable world,” the report stated, urging immediate action to curb rising corruption levels.