BERLIN (AP) — Most countries in the world have still failed to fight corruption since 2017, with 95 percent making little progress since 2017, a high-profile study by an anticorruption group found Tuesday. any progress.
Transparency International’s 2022 Corruption Perceptions Index, which measures the views of experts and business people on public sector corruption, also found that governments hindered by corruption lack the ability to protect their people, and that public discontent is more likely to turn violent.
“Corruption makes our world a more dangerous place. As governments fail to make progress together, they fuel the current rise in violence and conflict — and endanger people around the world,” said Delia Ferreira Rubio, president of Transparency International Say.
“The only way forward is for states to work hard to root out corruption at all levels to ensure that government works for all, not just an elite few,” she added.
The report ranks countries on a scale from “highly corrupt” 0 to “very clean” 100. Denmark was considered the least corrupt country this year, with a score of 90, followed by Finland and New Zealand, both at 87. Strong democracies and respect for human rights also make these countries some of the most peaceful in the world, the report said.
However, the report also shows that while Western Europe remains the top-scoring region, some of these countries are showing worrying signs of decline.
The UK dropped five points to 73 – its lowest score on record. A series of scandals ranging from public spending to lobbying, as well as revelations of misconduct by ministers, have highlighted serious flaws in the country’s political integrity system, the report said. It said public trust in politics was also worryingly low.
Countries such as Switzerland (82) and the Netherlands (80) show signs of decline due to concerns over integrity and weak lobbying regulation – although their scores remain high compared to the rest of the world.
In Eastern Europe, corruption remains rampant as rates in many countries fall to historic lows.
Russia in particular was highlighted as a clear example of corruption affecting peace and stability.
The country’s invasion of Ukraine about a year ago was a stark reminder of the threats corruption and a lack of government accountability pose to global peace and security, the report said. It added that Russia’s kleptocrats scored 28 points and amassed enormous fortunes by swearing allegiance to President Vladimir Putin in exchange for lucrative government contracts and protection of their economic interests.
“Putin’s unchecked power allowed him to pursue his geopolitical ambitions with impunity,” the report concluded. “The attack destabilized the continent, threatened democracy, and killed tens of thousands.”
Before the invasion, Ukraine had a low score of 33 points, but is making important reforms and improving steadily. Even after the war broke out, the country made anticorruption reform a priority. However, the report notes that the war has disrupted normal processes and exacerbated risks, enabling corrupt actors to pocket funds for recovery.Earlier this month, investigations revealed several senior officials were suspected of profiteering from the war.
The index rates 180 countries and territories. Somalia is last with 12 points; South Sudan is tied with Syria for second last with 13 points.
Only eight countries improved last year, including Ireland with 77 points, South Korea with 63 points, Armenia with 46 points and Angola with 33 points.
The report also notes that after decades of conflict, South Sudan is in the midst of a major humanitarian crisis, with more than half the population facing severe food insecurity — and corruption is exacerbating this.
In Yemen, 16, where corruption complaints sparked a civil war eight years ago, reports say the country has collapsed and two-thirds of the population do not have enough food in what has become one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
Compiled since 1995, the index is calculated using 13 different data sources that provide business and state experts’ perceptions of corruption in the public sector. Sources include the World Bank, World Economic Forum, and private venture and consulting firms.
