Bribes and bribery: ranking of the most corrupt countries. Ukraine topped the ranking of corrupt countries Corruption index by country

Corruption is a factor holding back the economy and the development of society. This term refers to the excessive use of authority by an official. Such acts in a number of countries around the world are equated to fraud and are punishable under articles of the criminal code.

Eradicating corruption is a complex process. It is even more difficult to correctly assess it on the scale of one country. Let's talk about how the index is calculated and present a list of the most corrupt countries.

What is the Corruption Perceptions Index?

The most famous and widely used ranking of corrupt countries is compiled by the non-governmental organization Transparency International. It is called Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), which translated into Russian means Corruption Perceptions Index.

The mission of the international organization is to conduct global research in the field of public administration and entrepreneurship. The index is a kind of summary of the work done. Any abuse of official position is subject to study, not just cases of direct bribery.

A map clearly showing the level of corruption in countries around the world for 2018

How is the Corruption Perceptions Index calculated?

The basis is the results of surveys of entrepreneurs and analysts from countries around the world. They are asked to evaluate the level of corruption in the country using a 100-point system. The average score is the desired index.

Transparency International emphasizes that statistics provided by government agencies cannot be objective when calculating the index, since a number of cases in corrupt countries may be closed before reaching trial or not prosecuted.

The interviewed entrepreneurs encounter corruption when doing business. The analysts interviewed are directly related to the problem; they study it within the country.

Formation of country ratings

The score means the following: the higher it is, the less corrupt the state is. The lower in the line it is located, the worse the situation with illegal enrichment and abuse of power is.

When determining position on the list, data for the last three years is taken into account. Note that changes in estimates occur slowly.

List of countries by corruption perception index

The organization publishes a new list annually. Let's explore it from the end and present the most corrupt countries in the world. For a complete picture of the world, see Transparency International.

On the map, countries are colored in colors ranging from light yellow to burgundy. Light shades indicate that the state received a high score from experts and entrepreneurs. Red and burgundy shades indicate the presence of serious problems and obstacles in economic development.

Denmark is a corruption-free country

The list of the ten least corrupt states looks like this (the aggregate score is indicated in parentheses):

1. Denmark (88);
2. New Zealand (87);
3. Finland (85);
4. Singapore (84);
5. Sweden (85);
6. Switzerland (85);
7. Norway (84);
8. Netherlands (82)
9. Canada (81);
10. Luxembourg (81);

The position of countries with the same index in the list is influenced by statistics for the last 3 years. In 2018, the level of bribery and abuse of one's position improved in Estonia, Senegal, and Côte d'Ivoire. The situation has worsened in Chile, Australia, Turkey, and Malta.

Russia's position in a corrupt world

Everyone knows that the problem is acute in Russia. Corruption exists in all areas of the population's life. Complex issues are solved for money; citizens consider the government’s struggle in the field of bribery to be insignificant.

As of 2019, the Russian Federation ranks 138th in the corruption perception rating, scoring 28 points. There has been a deterioration in positions over the past 3 years.

According to Transparency International, Russians have to corrupt in vital areas:

• law enforcement agencies;
• healthcare system;
• education system;
• public administration;
• taxation.

The Russian tsars also spoke about the risks of this situation, but corruption has always been historically involved in the system of government.

Only for the period 2010-2016. In Russia, crimes with a corrupt component were uncovered in the following areas:

• space exploration (theft during the allocation of funds for the development of GLONASS, the construction of the Vostochny cosmodrome);
• gambling business (the case of “protection protection” by employees of the prosecutor’s office of a casino in the Moscow region);
• energy (criminal proceedings "RusHydro");
• agro-industrial sector (theft at Rosagroleasing amounting to more than 30 billion rubles).

At the end of 2017, four executives of large companies were convicted of embezzling over 400 million rubles allocated for the development of GLONASS

The listed cases are a small part of high-profile criminal cases in which facts of extortion and bribery were revealed.

Top 10 most corrupt countries in the world

Somalia (10)

The outsider of the rating for 5 years is Somalia. The consequences of the civil war are a destroyed economy, anarchy, high unemployment, and the presence of criminal structures. Today the state is trying to build a new economy and is participating in an international lending program.

It is impossible to open a business in Somalia without the support of government agencies.

The Syrian civil war and subsequent foreign military action have severely undermined political and economic forces. Rebuilding destroyed infrastructure is a difficult task. In the coming decades, the Syrian government will have to fight bribery and theft from the treasury.

Investments will improve the situation in Syria, but their flow is not expected given the high level of corruption

External injections will not come to Syria soon, since investors strictly assess their own risks and are not ready to sacrifice money.

South Sudan (13)

The state gained independence in 2011. Interethnic conflicts flare up every year; armed gangs operate freely in the territory and control the regions. There is no need to talk about the presence of freedoms in South Sudan.

Africa is the continent with the most developed corrupt network. In 2017, a period of drought led to famine in South Sudan, making the situation worse for the people.

Average Corruption Scores in Africa

Yemen (14)

Before the conflict in Yemen, the state was the poorest among its neighbors in the Arab world. Oil reserves are not large, the amount of “black gold” in the depths is drying up. Citizens are divided into tribes, each of which has power in a specific region. This situation has a negative impact on the political and economic situation.

The crisis of the 80s in the DPRK continued with the collapse of the USSR. Residents were massively engaged in smuggling Chinese products, and salaries at state-owned enterprises were low. If 30 years ago the state was the least corrupt in the world, with the arrival of private business in the country everything changed. Officials found themselves at the mercy of temptations.

After the death of Kim Il Sung, the level of corruption increased several times

Sudan (16)

Sudan continues to fight with its southern neighbor over territory, so the risks for doing business are high. According to the World Bank’s “Doing Business” study, the state ranks last; opening and running your own business is a big problem.

Guinea-Bissau (16)

Extortion is widespread in Guinea-Bissau. Policemen, officials, and doctors openly ask for bribes. It is impossible to get a job without the specified amount.

The transit point between Colombia and Europe along the cocaine route is Guinea-Bissau. Business is controlled by all government structures

The second pressing problem is drug smuggling. In Guinea-Bissau, this business is controlled by the army, law enforcement officers, and judges.

Equatorial Guinea (16)

In 2017, information appeared that the President of Equatorial Guinea was laundering money from Europe and the United States with the help of a team of Ukrainian citizens who were previously in the diplomatic service. Bribery is present in all spheres of life of the country's citizens, and there is no fight against it.

The war in Afghanistan and decades of ongoing armed conflict are the key to the problem of corruption. The drug trade is thriving and terrorist groups are multiplying. Citizens are hostages of the situation. Every year in Afghanistan, the number of people who become refugees within their own country increases. No one is helping them.

Afghanistan is one of the world's largest opium producers

Libya (17)

The war in Libya has given rise to corruption in all areas of society. It has become customary to take and give bribes. The budget is being “cut up” by inflating the cost of transactions at open auctions. Currently, there is no order in the country, scandals are breaking out about the sale of people into slavery, bribes in the public administration sector.

Rating of the most corrupt European countries

Regional analysis showed that Europe is an area with a relatively low level of corruption. The average score is 66 out of 100. By comparison, the African average is half that.

The World Bank says the corruption situation in Ukraine is not improving

If we consider Europe without taking into account the Russian Federation, which was mentioned above, the ranking of countries mired in bribes would look like this (the score is indicated in parentheses):

1. Ukraine (32);
2. Moldova (33);
3. Albania (36);
4. Kosovo (37);
5. Macedonia (37);
6. Bosnia (38);
7. Serbia (39);
8. Bulgaria (42);
9. Belarus (44);
10. Montenegro (45).

If we consider part of the world in tandem with the Russian Federation, it would become the most corrupt country in Europe.

Least corrupt region – Western Europe and EU countries

conclusions

1. The Corruption Perceptions Index is compiled annually by the non-governmental organization Transparency I. It draws conclusions based on a survey of entrepreneurs and experts. The higher the score, the more favorable the country's position.
2. The fewest problems with abuse of official position are in Denmark, the most in Somalia.
3. Europe has a low level of corruption. The most difficult situation is in Russia, Ukraine, and the Balkan countries.

Russia ranked 131st out of 176 places in the Corruption Perceptions Index 2016 (CPI-2016), which is compiled every year by the international organization Transparency International. Russia received 29 points out of 100, being on a par with Iran, Kazakhstan, Nepal and Ukraine.

Compared to the 2015 Index, Russia’s position has not actually changed: it received the same number of points, and the decrease in its position in the ranking (from 119th to 131st place) is due to the fact that this year it takes into account a larger number of countries.

First place in the 2016 CPI was shared by Denmark and New Zealand (90 points each), Finland took second (89 points), and Sweden took third (88 points). Outsiders in the ranking are North Korea (12 points), South Sudan (11 points) and Somalia (10 points). The composition of leaders and outsiders has hardly changed compared to 2015.

The Corruption Perceptions Index is a composite index that measures the level of perception of corruption in the public sector of various countries. Transparency International has published the CPI annually since 1995. The index is calculated based on data for the last two years (2015–2016), collected by 12 independent organizations through surveys of experts and entrepreneurs around the world. Countries are ranked on a scale from 0 to 100 points. Countries with the highest level of perception of corruption receive zero points, 100 - those with the lowest.

According to Anton Pominov, General Director of Transparency International Russia, in 2016 in Russia, “the previously existing trend towards clarifying the norms of anti-corruption legislation was supplemented by an unrestrained hunt for individual corrupt officials and those equivalent to them.” According to Elena Panfilova, vice-president of the international movement Transparency International, this hunt is only similar to the real one: “In fact, satisfied visitors shoot ducks at the shooting range from a pre-prepared gun, which the owner has carefully placed on shelves.”

Among the most important external factors that influenced the situation in the CPI-2016 of Russia and other countries is the leak of Mossack Fonseca documents (“Panama Papers”). The published archive featured offshore companies of people close to high-ranking Russian officials. Information about this was widely covered in Russian and foreign media and could not but influence the respondents’ answers.

According to the report of the Council of Europe's group of states against corruption (GRECO), in 2016 Russia fully implemented 10 of its 21 anti-corruption recommendations, and partially implemented the remaining 11. In addition, this year Russia became a party to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) agreement on the automatic exchange of financial information with the tax authorities of other countries, which is due to begin in 2018.

There have been some improvements in anti-corruption legislation, but enforcement practice has changed little. Thus, the seizure of illegally acquired property is legislated, but in practice this measure is almost never used.

Russian officials were prohibited from owning foreign financial instruments. A law was adopted on a “black list” of people dismissed from government positions and from law enforcement agencies for corruption violations. Companies are held liable for failing to store or update information about their beneficiaries. The government, by its Resolution No. 594 of June 28, 2016, prohibited federal officials from working with organizations whose employees are their relatives. The Judicial Collegium for Civil Cases of the Supreme Court ruled on October 31, 2016 that an official can be dismissed for failure to provide information about the income, expenses, property and property obligations of his spouse.

On the other hand, from the National Anti-Corruption Plan for 2016-2017, no mention was made of the protection of whistleblowers, a critical element of anti-corruption policy. The law on lobbying mentioned in the previous National Plan has still not been adopted.

In the second half of 2016, high-profile cases against high-ranking officials caused widespread public outcry. For example, Minister of Economic Development Alexey Ulyukaev and FSO General Gennady Lopyrev were detained in November, and billionaire Colonel Dmitry Zakharchenko from the Ministry of Internal Affairs was detained in September. However, these cases were not always perceived by Russian citizens in an anti-corruption context: as a VTsIOM survey showed, more than half of Russians considered Ulyukaev’s arrest to be an “exemplary action or settling scores” rather than a real fight against corruption.

“True anti-corruption and the subsequent development of the country are possible only when institutions begin to strengthen, the most important of which are transparent, fair elections to control politicians from the head of the village council to the president, as well as independence from any of the branches of government, endowed with the trust of citizens and business. and an effective, not just a working system of the rule of law,” says Anton Pominov.

Recommendations:
1. Develop and adopt laws on lobbying activities and on the protection of whistleblowers of corruption.
2. Oblige law enforcement agencies to respond to public and journalistic investigations.
3. Engage in international cooperation on asset recovery and identification of beneficial owners.
4. Ensure the election of court chairmen and random distribution of cases among judges within the framework of their specialization; ensure the independence of the economic activities of courts from the executive branch and from the Presidential Administration.
5. Increase the independence of election commissions, minimizing the influence of government authorities on the process of their formation.

Contact Information:

Corruption is caused by many factors, the main one being a corrupt government. It plunders the country's wealth and uses its resources to benefit itself. Also, dishonest officials, poor economic conditions, political instability and a huge number of other reasons are to blame for corruption.

Life in one of the most corrupt countries in the world is very difficult due to low living standards, high unemployment and economic stagnation. On the other hand, the least corrupt countries in the world have strong economies and provide an ideal environment for investing money, resulting in a high standard of living for the people.

Here's what the top 10 least corrupt countries in the world look like in 2018, according to a study by Transparency International, which ranks countries based on levels of public sector corruption.

Country scores range from 0 to 100 points. "0" refers to the most corrupt country, and "100" refers to the country with the lowest level of corruption.

10. Netherlands - 82 points

The country of tulips and windmills opens the ranking of states with the lowest level of corruption.

The Netherlands has an independent judiciary. And because of this, there are minimal cases of corruption in the country at any level of government. If we add to this a culture of trust, social tolerance and effective measures to combat corruption, it becomes clear why the Netherlands is one of the least corrupt countries.

Each person in the Netherlands has a GDP of $51,885 (based on purchasing power parity - PPP).

9. Luxembourg - 82 points

It is the second country in the world in terms of GDP (PPP) per capita - $103,388. Although Luxembourg has relatively low levels of corruption, there is significant mistrust between citizens and political parties. Almost 53% of Luxembourg residents consider their politicians to be corrupt.

8. Canada - 82 points

In 2017, the GDP (PPP) per capita in Canada was $47,307. The country has one of the most advanced and largest economies in the world, based primarily on its abundance of natural resources and developed trade networks.

However, there are still some problem areas. In the absence of significant anti-bribery measures, nearly 30% of business leaders in Canada said they consider both bribery and corruption to be among the government's top problems. This data is provided by the BestReviewOf resource.

7. Sweden - 84 points

Those living in Sweden boast a high quality of life, gender and racial equality, excellent health care, good education, civil liberties and the country's economic competitiveness.

GDP (PPP) per capita in Sweden as of 2017 was $50,757.

6. Singapore - 84 points

The only Asian country included in the top ten countries with the lowest level of corruption. The late Lee Kuan Yew, the founding father of Singapore, made a huge contribution to this. In one generation, the country managed to escape the shackles of poverty, get rid of corruption and become a region with important international influence.

Singapore's per capita GDP (PPP) is $89,276. Only Luxembourg and Qatar have higher rates.

One of Lee Kuan Yew's sayings is: “Start by putting three of your friends in prison. You know exactly why, and they know why.” This is perhaps one of the most effective ways to fight corruption in the world.

5. Switzerland - 85 points

The country of banks and ski resorts consistently finds itself in the top 10 of various ratings in terms of living standards, business conditions and transparency of the financial system. It is very prosperous both economically and politically. The GDP (PPP) per capita of every Swiss person last year was $60,501.

High incomes (especially in Geneva and Zurich, which are among the most expensive cities in the world), excellent education system, quality healthcare and almost complete absence of corruption make Switzerland a miniature paradise on Earth. So the Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich recently submitted a request to obtain Swiss citizenship.

4. Norway - 85 points

The economy of this country relies mainly on natural resources and huge reserves of natural gas, oil, minerals, fresh water and seafood.

Small Norway has one of the highest GDP (PPP) per capita values ​​at $70,066. For comparison: each Russian in 2017 accounted for only $25,740 of GDP (PPP).

3. Finland - 85 points

An economically competitive country with a good level of education, a full range of civil liberties and a high quality of life. In terms of GDP (PPP) per capita in 2017, Finland is among the top 30 best countries in the world. This figure is $42,502.

GDP (PPP) per capita in Denmark is estimated at $47,992. The country has a very developed economy and offers its citizens a high standard of living, excellent education, an excellent healthcare system, civil liberties, government transparency, democracy and high incomes.

1. New Zealand - 89 points

It is the most honest and least corrupt country in the whole world. New Zealand has a very developed market economy, based mainly on tourism and the export of wine, meat and dairy products. And the GDP (PPP) per capita is $38,075.

With low levels of corruption, New Zealanders have everything they need to live a stable life, including a strong economy, a wide range of public services, a high standard of living, gender and racial equality, civil liberties and transparent government.

As for Russia, it took 135th place in the ranking(29 points), being among the most corrupt states. Ukraine is doing slightly better - 130th position. Belarus is far ahead of its neighbors in the former USSR, ranking 68th with 44 points.

And the most corrupt country in the world is Somalia.

The international anti-corruption movement Transparency International published the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) for 2018. Russia took 138th place out of 180 and scored 28 points out of 100. For the last three years, Russia scored 29 points, but this year it lost one point and dropped three places. Papua New Guinea, Lebanon, Iran, Guinea and Mexico scored the same points.

The Corruption Perceptions Index is a composite index that measures the level of perception of corruption in the public sector of various countries. It is compiled based on surveys of experts and entrepreneurs conducted by independent organizations around the world, and has been published annually since 1995. Countries around the world are ranked on a scale of 0 to 100, with zero being the highest level of perception of corruption and one hundred being the lowest.

There were insignificant changes in the group of leaders: first place was taken by Denmark (88 points), second by New Zealand (87 points), and third place was shared by Finland, Sweden, Switzerland and Singapore (85 points each). At the bottom of the list are Somalia (10 points), Syria and South Sudan (13 points). The United States of America received 71 points (4 points less than last year) and for the first time in a long time failed to get into the top twenty leaders. Brazil also lost two points, earning the lowest CPI in seven years - it now has 35 points.

In the group of CIS countries and Russia's geographic neighbors, Tajikistan made the biggest leap - from 21 to 25 points. Ukraine (from 30 to 32 points) and Moldova (from 31 to 33 points) improved their position by two points. Some countries remained with the same results (Kazakhstan - 31 points, Armenia 35 points, Kyrgyzstan 29 points). Azerbaijan lost as much as 6 points: in the 2018 CPI, the country received 25 points versus 31 in 2017.

In addition to the traditional index, the 2018 CPI includes additional research showing the relationship between levels of perception of corruption and the level of democracy in a country. In this study, the authors analyze the relationship between corruption and global trends in the development of democracy in conditions where democratic institutions and norms are often threatened by authoritarian leaders or populists.

From the perspective of Transparency International Russia, the Russian Federation perfectly illustrates this trend. Problems with corruption are related to the fact that the existing institutions of a democratic society are often replaced by their imitation. In this regard, we see the following opportunities to correct the situation:

1. Supplement anti-corruption legislation with rules governing lobbying, disclosure of beneficial owners of assets and protection of whistleblowers. Ratify the Council of Europe Convention on Civil Liability for Corruption and adopt appropriate amendments to national legislation.


2. Implement obligations under international anti-corruption law, including the recommendations of the Group of States Against Corruption (GRECO). Implement measures to recover assets stolen through corrupt activities and investigate cross-border financial crimes.


3. Increase the independence of election commissions, minimize the influence of executive authorities on the process of their formation.


4. Develop methodological recommendations and materials for university professors and school teachers to provide them with applicable anti-corruption education tools. Train teachers and professors to use them.


5. Do not apply economic, organizational, legislative and information measures that restrict civil society and journalists. Over the past two years, the set of these measures has been supplemented with massive “liquidation” fines and compensations, which threaten the existence of independent media, anti-corruption organizations and civil associations.


6. Instead, respond more actively and willingly to investigations by journalists and activists regarding public officials.


7. Limit the role of the state in those areas of public life that can develop on their own. Examples of excessive government presence leading to corrupt practices can be found in our publications on or.


8. To counter the emergence and functioning of informal public institutions that replace formal institutions, but distribute resources, powers and budgets at their own discretion, is opaque and unaccountable.


9. Finally, open up more data at all levels.

   Materials of IVK-2018

In 2018, Transparency International, an anti-corruption non-governmental organization, published a new Corruption Perceptions Index. Experts rated countries based on corruption, taking into account the opacity of business, the freedom of the media, as well as the rights and freedoms of citizens.

The top 10 countries in terms of corruption include the following states:

1. Venezuela.
2. Yemen.
3. Somalia.
4. Russia.
5. Guinea.
6. Syria.
7. Sudan (South).
8. Libya.
9. Afghanistan.
10. North Korea.

Corruption perception index in 2017 countries of the world

Rallies in Venezuela very often lead to clashes with law enforcement officers.

Every incoming president promises to eradicate bribery, but de facto everything remains the same or gets worse. Corruption is “successfully” combined with such ugly manifestations of political life as nepotism, bureaucracy and political patronage.

Rallies against corruption are regularly held in Venezuela. Unfortunately, very often they lead to clashes with law enforcement officers.

Somali situation

One of the honorable places in the list of countries in terms of the level of corruption is occupied by Somalia. The name of this country is now used as a common noun.

A continuous, decades-long civil war destroyed the once peaceful republic. The country reached a completely new level of corruption back in 1991, under the regime of S. Barre.

In fact, the country is ruled by armed brigades that obey not the leadership of Somalia, but their leader.

The country is ruled by armed brigades that obey not the leadership of Somalia, but their leader.

Wealth in Somalia is measured in the number of camels. The reason is that money is no longer worth almost anything and is counted in kilograms.

For a small fee, people are willing to provide various services to radicals, including terrorist attacks.

In practice, the ministry does not help people in any way. Unwittingly, they become excellent material for the Taliban and radical Islamists. For a small fee, people are willing to provide various services to radicals, including terrorist attacks.

According to Afghan experts, corruption in the country is closely linked to terrorism and drug trafficking. Each of these components feeds the other.

North Korean situation

According to statistics, one of the most corrupt states is North Korea.

Kim Il Sung's regime resembled Stalin's. Kim Jong-un surrounded by military personnel

The level of “classic” corruption under Kim Il Sung was quite low. Experts say the reason for this is the specificity of the system. In their opinion, Kim Il Sung's regime resembled Stalin's.

After the collapse of the USSR, North Korea stopped receiving help from the “brotherly people.” This led to the fact that the unviable economy of the state found itself in a deep crisis.

Up to 80% of industrial enterprises ceased functioning. Ordinary citizens survived only by working in the private sector.

Since the beginning of the 90s, private business began to appear and grow confidently in the country. Over time, it penetrated into politics.

According to today's North Koreans, it is completely normal for officials to take bribes.

According to the perception index, Russia is now in 149th place in terms of corruption indicators, next to third world countries.

You can read about how they live in Russian cities in the article

Experts believe that this unpleasant phenomenon originated in pagan times. Under the USSR, corruption was largely tied to personal connections - nepotism. This allowed those in power to receive as many different benefits, services and privileges as possible.

According to experts, the reason for the current prosperity of corruption in Russia should be considered the lack of independent media, political competition and an independent judicial system.

The lack of a clear position of the civil society, which in theory should control public power, is also of great importance.

But the main culprit is an imperfect legal system. It does not allow the best anti-corruption measures to be effectively deployed. In Russian laws, the term “corruption” is not clearly defined, and its interpretation is very variable.

Corrupt European States

The most corrupt countries in Europe in 2020 are:

• Lithuania;
• Moldova;
• Ukraine;
• Russia.

As elsewhere in the world, bribery flourishes in countries with low living standards.

Lithuanian situation

The scale of corruption in this Baltic country is increasing every year. The situation in Lithuania is in many ways similar to the situation in Russia: despite the fight of officials against corruption, it is only taking root. “That’s because,” ordinary Lithuanians laugh, “that they are fighting with themselves.”

In terms of the level of bribery, the Lithuanian state is ahead of all and many other countries in the world, including even lagging African powers.

According to Lithuanians, the most corrupt are officials and judicial workers. They believe that the best places to do this are in non-governmental organizations, the army and religious institutions.

Protest against corruption in Vilnius, spring 2012

According to independent experts, the level of corruption in healthcare has increased sharply in recent years.

A paradoxical situation has arisen: organizations that in reality represent the interests of business structures are equated to public organizations. They operate under the same law on associations and have the same status. Therefore, today the “anti-corruption fighters” are completely confused and cannot understand who is who.

Social activists say one of the main reasons for such a sad situation in the country is the fact that parliament has never adopted a code of conduct for civil servants.

Lithuanians themselves are convinced that in the modern world, all or many problems can only be solved with money. For example, there are many more cases where unscrupulous drivers try to “settle” an issue with the police with 5–10 euros than before.