Transparency International has released its Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) for 2024, providing a comprehensive assessment of perceived public sector corruption across 180 countries and territories. The CPI assigns scores on a scale from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean), offering insights into global corruption trends and highlighting areas requiring urgent attention.
Global Overview
The 2024 CPI reveals that corruption remains a pervasive issue worldwide. Alarmingly, more than two-thirds of the evaluated countries scored below 50, with the global average stagnant at 43 for several years. This persistent low average underscores the critical need for intensified anti-corruption measures globally. The report also emphasizes the detrimental impact of corruption on climate action, noting that corrupt practices hinder efforts to reduce emissions and adapt to climate change.
Top Performers
Denmark continues to lead as the least corrupt nation, achieving a score of 90. This marks the seventh consecutive year Denmark has held this position, reflecting its robust institutional frameworks and commitment to transparency. Following closely are Finland with a score of 88 and Singapore at 84, both consistently ranking high due to their effective governance and stringent anti-corruption policies.
Notable Declines
Several countries have experienced significant declines in their CPI scores, raising concerns about the effectiveness of their anti-corruption frameworks:
United States: The U.S. saw its score drop to 65, placing it 28th globally. This decline is partly attributed to recent policy decisions, including an executive order pausing the enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) for 180 days. Critics argue that such moves may undermine corporate compliance efforts and embolden corrupt practices.
China: Despite a decade-long anti-corruption campaign resulting in the disciplining of millions of officials, China’s CPI score has seen only a slight improvement. The persistence of high-profile corruption cases, especially in the military and financial sectors, indicates that graft remains deeply entrenched. The campaign has also led to policy paralysis among bureaucrats, fearful of punitive measures.
Australia: In contrast, Australia has made notable progress, entering the top 10 most transparent countries for the first time since 2016, with a score of 77. This improvement is attributed to recent reforms targeting foreign bribery and money laundering. However, concerns persist regarding "dark money" in politics and the protection of whistleblowers.
South Asia Focus
In South Asia, corruption continues to pose significant challenges:
India: Ranked 96th with a score of 38, India has slipped three places from the previous year. This decline highlights ongoing issues in governance and public service delivery, exacerbated by bureaucratic inefficiencies and lack of transparency.
Pakistan: With a score of 27, Pakistan stands at 135th position, dropping two spots from the previous year. The country’s consistent low ranking reflects deep-rooted issues in its public sector, including political instability and weak enforcement of anti-corruption laws.
Bangladesh: Positioned at 149th, Bangladesh continues to grapple with pervasive corruption affecting various sectors, from public services to law enforcement. Efforts to combat these challenges have been hindered by limited institutional capacity and political interference.
Implications for Climate Action
The 2024 CPI report underscores a critical intersection between corruption and climate change. Corruption undermines climate initiatives by misallocating resources, facilitating environmental degradation, and obstructing policy implementation. For instance, embezzlement of funds intended for renewable energy projects can stall progress, while bribery can lead to the approval of environmentally harmful activities. Addressing corruption is thus imperative for the success of global climate strategies.
Call to Action
Transparency International advocates for comprehensive measures to combat corruption, including:
Strengthening Institutions: Building robust, independent institutions capable of enforcing anti-corruption laws without political interference.
Enhancing Transparency: Implementing open data initiatives and ensuring public access to information to hold officials accountable.
Protecting Whistleblowers: Establishing and enforcing laws that safeguard individuals who report corrupt activities from retaliation.
International Cooperation: Fostering cross-border collaborations to tackle corruption that transcends national boundaries, especially in areas like money laundering and illicit financial flows.
The persistent levels of corruption highlighted in the 2024 CPI serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced globally. Addressing these issues requires a concerted effort from governments, civil society, and the international community to promote integrity, transparency, and accountability.
.png)
.png)
0 Comments