Rating: Russia is equal in corruption to Kyrgyzstan and falls below Ukraine. Countries with the lowest and highest levels of corruption Rating of states by level of corruption
Hello, dear friends. Today we will look at such an educational topic as the levels of corruption in the countries of the world, what kind of research in this area and who is conducting it, its reliability, and what conclusions can be drawn by looking at various indices and percentages.
The most popular study is considered to be the determination of the corruption perception index (CPI), which is carried out by the public organization Transparency International. It annually conducts surveys of business representatives and analysts involved in global economic and human rights issues.
How do they count?
The IVC itself is very popular in the world community; it is often quoted and referred to. It is an assessment on a 100-point scale, where 0 is for countries with a high level of corruption, and 100 is for its absence.
The study itself has been conducted since 1995, and at first did not cover all countries of the world. Analysts from the World Bank for Third World Countries, the African and Asian Development Banks take part in the surveys. The Americans also had a hand in the research: analysts from their Freedom House are also participating in the survey. They specialize in determining the level of democracy in the world.
Is it worth believing?
Many internationally renowned independent experts in the field of public relations advise to be critical of this rating. They argue that corruption is widespread and countries without it do not exist.
In those countries where the level of corruption is low, and the index is calculated in the range of 80-90 (no country has a higher level), officials are simply better at hiding their machinations and corruption schemes, so it is difficult for them to be caught in the act.
Because they even talk about Denmark, the constant leader of this rating, remembering the submarines that were bought for no apparent reason, and where they then disappeared. And in prosperous Iceland, bankers terrorized the entire population in agreement with the authorities.
Land of the Setting Sun
If we consider the world map, on which states are colored in different colors depending on the scores assigned to them, it becomes noticeable that most countries in Europe and North America have a high anti-corruption orientation, and countries in Africa, South America and Eurasia, on the contrary, have a high level.
Some countries in one way or another stood out from the general background. For example, Chile is practically the only country in South America where there is no support for corrupt interests (66 points and 25th place out of 176 possible). While its neighbors occupy the bottom lines in this ranking. An anti-corruption law came into force in Estonia, and the country immediately scored 70 points and took a respectable 22nd place.
Countries of Europe
But, for example, in Portugal, which ranked 30th, a fairly high place, 83% of residents believe that corruption is flourishing in the country. But, nevertheless, the authorities condemned the former Prime Minister Socrates for accepting bribes and non-payment of taxes. Try to imprison Medvedev here.
So the residents are most likely slandering their authorities, and the country rightfully took its place in the CPI. But in Poland, which occupies 29th place, officials have such a bad tendency as nepotism: having taken a position in government structures, they drag their relatives and good friends into the same position. This, on the one hand, does not seem to be corruption, but the prerequisites for its development are quite serious.
Countries against corruption
But in Israel, Prime Minister Olmert was also imprisoned for bribes, and the country rightfully occupies 28th place in the CPI. And in Slovenia (33rd place), residents have repeatedly organized protests against corruption in government structures - Prime Minister Janša and the main opposition leader Janković are accused of illegal income and the secret acquisition of securities.
In Spain (43rd place), Prime Minister Rajoy was removed on charges of corruption. A total of 24 high-ranking officials were arrested. The Czech Republic increased its score to 56 in 2015 due to the resignation of Prime Minister Necas. In South Korea, the prime minister was also fired because of bribes, and the country ranks 52nd, in the middle of the CPI.
What about in Russia?
Russia, alas and ah, occupies a disgraceful 134th place with 29 points scored. Of course, we try to dismiss the Prime Minister. Taking into account also the loyal attitude towards corruption among the population, and the fight against corruption and cuts mainly in the form of slogans and posters, our country occupies a well-deserved place.
Our neighbors are Ukraine, Mexico, Honduras, Moldova, Azerbaijan, Nepal and Kazakhstan. By the way, with the adoption of new anti-corruption laws and several arrests of high-ranking officials, Kazakhstan has a chance this year to strengthen its position in the international rankings.
Other system assessments
The World Economic Forum also assesses the level of corruption in certain sectors of government structures, including in Russia. Let's consider assessing the work of some of them on a 7-point scale, where 1 is not effective operation of the system, 7 is highly effective:
- Judicial system – 2.7;
- Police – 3.0;
- Utilities and infrastructure – 2.9;
- Land management – 3.0;
- Taxation – 3.3;
- Customs – 3.3;
- Government procurement and orders – 2.5.
Have you noticed that tax and customs officials are the best in the country? Maybe for there to be an improvement, the management should have changed a long time ago? But no one scored 7 points. And a level of 3 points indicates that our government agencies still have room to strive and something to fight against.
In Soviet times, the Cold War and the Iron Curtain reliably limited Russia and its officials from the corrupting influence of foreign countries. Now there are no borders, most officials also have no conscience, so they steal everything and on such a scale that Comrade Stalin never dreamed of.
With this I say goodbye to you. I hope that the topic touched upon is necessary, so subscribe to new articles on our site and give a link to it to your friends and relatives on social networks.
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- Increase the independence of election commissions, minimize the influence of executive authorities on the process of their formation.
- 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.
- 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.
- Instead, respond more actively and willingly to investigations by journalists and activists regarding public officials.
- 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.
- 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.
- Finally, open up more data at all levels.
Materials of IVK-2018
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 non-governmental organization Transparency International has published its annual ranking of countries by level of perception of corruption for 2016.
The company's analysts calculated that the average for 176 countries is 43 points out of 100.
The lowest level of corruption in 2016 was recorded in Denmark and New Zealand. They scored 90 points. The top five also included Finland, Sweden and Switzerland.
The highest levels of corruption were noted in Somalia, South Sudan, North Korea, Syria and Yemen, these countries received less than 20 points.
The United States, which scored 74 points out of 100 on non-perception of corruption, took 18th place in the ranking.
Ukraine and Russia scored 29 points and shared 131st place in the ranking; they were joined in this position by Nepal, Guatemala and Kazakhstan.
Belarus received 40 points and took 79th place. Israel, which scored 64 points, ended up in 28th place.
The report's authors noted that the ranking results demonstrated the relationship between corruption and inequality in the distribution of power in society and national income.
The relationship between corruption and inequality also fuels populism. When politicians don't fight corruption, citizens become skeptical and turn to leaders who promise to change things.
The CPI Corruption Perceptions Index is measured on a scale from 0 to 100. It is based on surveys of opinion leaders and experts regarding corruption in the public sector. In compiling it, the organization also takes into account, for example, whether those responsible for corruption are punished or go unpunished, the prevalence of bribery and the adequacy of public institutions to the needs of society.
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Russia ranked 135th out of 180 in Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index, sharing this position with Paraguay and Kyrgyzstan. High-profile trials of officials did not affect the opinion of experts about corruption in the country
Leaders and Outsiders
In 2017, Russia scored 29 points out of 100 possible in the Corruption perception index, which is compiled annually by the international anti-corruption organization Transparency International (TI).
The Dominican Republic, Honduras, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Mexico, Papua New Guinea and Paraguay scored the same number of points, according to a study released by the organization. The listed countries share with Russia 135th place out of 180 in the ranking of the least corrupt states compiled by Transparency.
The Transparency release notes that for the third year in a row, Russia has been gaining 29 points in the index, while at the same time the country’s position in the ranking has worsened: at the end of 2015, it occupied 119th place, and at the end of 2016, 131st. This is due to the inclusion of new states in the index, as well as changes in other countries, Transparency explained. For example, states that occupied the same place in the ranking as Russia at the end of 2016, a year later slightly (by one or two points) improved their results; these are Iran, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Nepal.
The leaders and outsiders of the index have remained unchanged over the past few years: the first places are occupied by New Zealand (89 points), Denmark (88 points), Finland, Norway and Switzerland (85 points each). The ranking is completed by Somalia (9 points) and South Sudan (12 points).
“Those countries that scored below the average - we have 43 points - are states where there are no institutions themselves that can guarantee security from corruption,” Anton Pominov, director of the Russian branch of Transparency, told RBC.
According to the rating methodology, a zero value in the index corresponds to the maximum possible level of corruption, and a hundred corresponds to the minimum. Transparency compiles its index using regularly published research from a number of international organizations - the World Bank, Freedom House, the Bertelsmann Foundation and others. Each of these studies analyzes a separate aspect: investment risks, freedom of speech, standard of living, complexity of doing business, but all of them in one way or another touch on issues of corruption. “We isolate from there the questions related to our topic, bring them all to a hundred-point scale and calculate the values for each country according to the available sources,” said Pominov.
Arrests didn't help
The perception of corruption in Russia was not changed by the high-profile corruption trials that took place at the end of 2017 - beginning of 2018 against officials: the former Minister of Economic Development and ex-governors and, the TI release emphasizes. The harsh sentences, according to the organization’s experts, “did not make enough of an impression on respondents to recognize any progress in combating corruption.”
Pominov believes that to improve Russia’s position in the ranking, a systematic approach to the fight against corruption is missing, and cites the example of many Western companies that were caught bribing Russian officials: Siemens, Daimler, Hewlett Packard, Pfizer. “When, instead of reforms aimed at the independence of the judicial system and parliament, we grab one of the officials for show or to get even with him for something, this does not impress either citizens or foreign investors,” says the director of the Russian Transparency departments.
“We must separate the inept attempts to present the fight against corruption with several high-profile cases and the real perception of corruption,” agrees the public commissioner for the protection of the rights of entrepreneurs, Alexander Khurudzhi. “Entrepreneurs and citizens see no improvement, with the exception of a reduction in grassroots corruption thanks to the widespread launch of MFCs throughout the country.”
In his opinion, representatives of global corporations can pay attention to such ratings. At the same time, Khurudji points out that most entrepreneurs are skeptical about them. “A business will never honestly decipher who it gave bribes to, and the compilation of such ratings is seriously influenced by the subjective factor of perception,” he argues.