A new survey by Transparency International reveals a surge in global corruption levels, with 47 countries experiencing their worst scoring performance in over a decade. The index, which ranks 180 countries on a scale from highly corrupt to very clean, found that global corruption remains alarmingly high despite efforts to reduce it.
The group’s Corruption Perceptions Index showed that more than two-thirds of countries scored under 50, with the global average remaining unchanged at 43. Denmark and Finland held onto their top spots, while New Zealand dropped to fourth place.
The US, France, and Germany were among Western nations that experienced declines in scores, with the US dropping from 69 points to 65. The group cited criticism of the country’s judicial branch as a major factor in the decline.
Meanwhile, some countries saw significant improvements. Ukraine, which had a score of 35 in 2023, made strides in judicial independence and high-level corruption prosecutions. Asia and the Pacific also showed promise, with unforeseen opportunities emerging in the wake of the fall of President Bashar Assad’s government in Syria.
The report highlighted the risks posed by corruption to efforts to combat climate change, citing a lack of transparency and accountability mechanisms as major concerns. Transparency International warned that undue influence from the private sector can obstruct the approval of ambitious policies.
Overall, the survey suggests that anti-corruption efforts are still faltering, with many governments failing to deliver on their pledges. The group is calling for increased transparency and accountability measures to tackle corruption and promote good governance.
Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/corruption-worse-over-a-decade-many-nations-survey