Least Corrupt Country

Every year, Transparency International publishes its renowned Corruption Perceptions Index, a measure of perceived public sector corruption in 180 countries worldwide. The index, which ranges from zero (indicative of highly corrupt) to 100 (considered very clean), is one of the most accurate proxies for analyzing the prevalence of corruption on a global scale. The factors leading to these scores can vary widely, from governmental abuse of power, briberies to fraudulent activities, but all point to a breakdown in systems intended to serve citizens.

• The majority of countries, about two thirds, scored below 50 on the index. This consistency of low scores is indicative of serious, ongoing corruption issues worldwide.
• The least corrupt nation in the world, according to the index, is Denmark with a score of 90%. Following closely behind are New Zealand and Finland. These countries have consistently topped the list, indicating strong and well-functioning public institutions and governance.
• On the other hand, countries like Somalia, Syria, and South Sudan persist as the most corrupt nations with scores as low as 12%. Troublingly, these are nations scarred by conflict and with weak institutions.
• Among the 180 countries, there is a significant regional variation. Nordic countries generally score high in the index, reflecting their robust rule of law, well-functioning public institutions, and low tolerance for corruption.