Top 10 Most Corrupt Countries In The World - Updated 2023
by Surya
Updated Mar 29, 2023
Most Corrupt Countries in the World
Corruption is a widespread problem that plagues governments around the world. It is a phenomenon that takes many forms, ranging from bribery and embezzlement to nepotism and favoritism. Unfortunately, corruption can have a devastating impact on a country's economic and social development, undermining democratic institutions, weakening the rule of law, and exacerbating poverty and inequality. This article will provide a detailed overview of the top 10 most corrupt countries in the world based on the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) published by Transparency International.
Top 10 Most Corrupt Countries In The World
Rank
Country
1
Somalia
2
South Sudan
3
Syria
4
Yemen
5
Venezuela
6
Sudan
7
Equatorial Guinea
8
Libya
9
North Korea
10
Eritrea
List of Top 10 Most Corrupt Countries In The World
Here are the top 10 most corrupt countries in the world according to the CPI 2023:
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Somalia: Somalia has topped the list of the most corrupt countries in the world for the second year in a row. The country has been plagued by conflict and instability for decades, and corruption is widespread in both the public and private sectors. The lack of effective government institutions has made it difficult to combat corruption.
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South Sudan: South Sudan is the second most corrupt country in the world. The country has been mired in conflict since gaining independence from Sudan in 2011, and corruption is rampant in the government and military. The lack of accountability and transparency has made it difficult to address corruption.
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Syria: Syria is the third most corrupt country in the world. The country has been torn apart by a civil war since 2011, and corruption is pervasive in the government and military. The lack of accountability and transparency has made it difficult to address corruption.
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Yemen: Yemen is the fourth most corrupt country in the world. The country has been in a state of conflict since 2014, and corruption is widespread in the government and military. The lack of accountability and transparency has made it difficult to address corruption.
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Venezuela: Venezuela is the fifth most corrupt country in the world. The country has been in an economic crisis for several years, and corruption is pervasive in the government and business sectors. The lack of accountability and transparency has made it difficult to address corruption.
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Sudan: Sudan is the sixth most corrupt country in the world. The country has been through a tumultuous period of political transition since the ousting of longtime dictator Omar al-Bashir in 2019, and corruption is widespread in the government and military. The lack of accountability and transparency has made it difficult to address corruption.
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Equatorial Guinea: Equatorial Guinea is the seventh most corrupt country in the world. The country has vast oil and gas reserves, but the wealth has been concentrated in the hands of a small elite, and corruption is pervasive in the government and business sectors.
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Libya: Libya is the eighth most corrupt country in the world. The country has been in a state of conflict since the ousting of longtime dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, and corruption is widespread in the government and military. The lack of accountability and transparency has made it difficult to address corruption.
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North Korea: North Korea is the ninth most corrupt country in the world. The country is a closed society with limited access to information, but corruption is pervasive in the government and military. The lack of accountability and transparency has made it difficult to address corruption.
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Eritrea: Eritrea is the tenth most corrupt country in the world. The country has been under authoritarian rule since gaining independence from Ethiopia in 1993, and corruption is pervasive in the government and military. The lack of accountability and transparency has made it difficult to address corruption.
What is the Most Corrupt Country in the World?
Somalia has consistently ranked as one of the most corrupt countries in the world, according to various international reports. The country has struggled with political instability, terrorism, and a lack of effective governance for decades, which has created an environment conducive to corruption. Rampant corruption in Somalia is evident in many aspects of life, including public procurement, law enforcement, and the judicial system. Bribes and kickbacks are commonplace, and those who hold positions of power often use their influence to enrich themselves and their associates. Corruption has also hindered foreign aid and investment, further perpetuating poverty and underdevelopment in the country.
What Is A Corruption Perceptions Index?
The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) is an annual report published by the global anti-corruption organization Transparency International. The CPI ranks countries and territories based on perceived levels of corruption in the public sector, as reported by experts and business people. The report is widely regarded as one of the most comprehensive and credible measures of corruption in the world.
The CPI scores countries on a scale of 0 to 100, with 0 being highly corrupt and 100 being very clean. Countries with scores below 50 are considered to have high levels of corruption, while countries with scores above 75 are considered to have very low levels of corruption.
The CPI uses data from a variety of sources, including surveys of business people and experts, assessments by international organizations, and data on corruption-related prosecutions and convictions. Transparency International aggregates the data to calculate a score for each country.
The CPI is not a measure of actual corruption, but rather a measure of perceptions of corruption. It reflects the views of people who are familiar with the inner workings of government and business in each country. These perceptions can be influenced by a variety of factors, including media coverage of corruption scandals, political instability, and economic conditions.
Transparency International emphasizes that the CPI is not an absolute measure of corruption, but rather a relative measure of how countries are perceived to be performing in relation to each other. The organization also notes that the CPI is just one tool for measuring corruption, and that other measures, such as the Global Corruption Barometer, provide additional insights into public attitudes toward corruption.
The CPI has been published annually since 1995, and the most recent report, CPI 2021, includes data on 180 countries and territories. The report highlights the continuing global problem of corruption, with two-thirds of countries scoring below 50 and only 13 countries scoring above 75.
The CPI is widely used by governments, businesses, and civil society organizations as a tool for measuring progress in the fight against corruption. It is used to track trends over time and to identify areas where more attention and resources are needed. It is also used to hold governments and other institutions accountable for their performance in addressing corruption.
In conclusion, the Corruption Perceptions Index is an annual report published by Transparency International that ranks countries and territories based on perceived levels of corruption in the public sector. The CPI is widely regarded as one of the most comprehensive and credible measures of corruption in the world, and is used by governments, businesses, and civil society organizations to track progress in the fight against corruption. While the CPI is not an absolute measure of corruption, it provides important insights into public perceptions and attitudes toward corruption, and serves as a powerful tool for holding institutions accountable for their performance in addressing this global problem.
Top 10 Most Corrupt Countries In The World - FAQs
The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) is an annual report published by Transparency International that ranks countries and territories based on perceived levels of corruption in the public sector. The purpose of the CPI is to provide a comprehensive and credible measure of corruption that can be used to track progress in the fight against corruption and hold institutions accountable for their performance.
The CPI uses data from a variety of sources, including surveys of business people and experts, assessments by international organizations, and data on corruption-related prosecutions and convictions. Transparency International aggregates the data to calculate a score for each country on a scale of 0 to 100, with 0 being highly corrupt and 100 being very clean.
No, the CPI is not a measure of actual corruption, but rather a measure of perceptions of corruption. The CPI reflects the views of people who are familiar with the inner workings of government and business in each country. These perceptions can be influenced by a variety of factors, including media coverage of corruption scandals, political instability, and economic conditions.
The CPI is widely used by governments, businesses, and civil society organizations as a tool for measuring progress in the fight against corruption. It is used to track trends over time and to identify areas where more attention and resources are needed. It is also used to hold governments and other institutions accountable for their performance in addressing corruption.
To improve their scores on the CPI, countries must take concrete steps to address corruption in the public sector. This may include implementing transparent and accountable governance systems, strengthening anti-corruption laws and institutions, improving access to information, and promoting public participation in decision-making.