New Delhi: Transparency International has released its Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2024, ranking 180 countries based on their corruption levels. Denmark has emerged as the least corrupt nation, followed by Finland, Singapore, and New Zealand. Meanwhile, India has slipped three places from last year, ranking 96th with a score of 39.
The index, based on expert and business leader surveys, evaluates corruption in the public sector using a scale from 0 to 100—where 0 indicates high corruption and 100 signifies zero corruption.
India’s neighboring countries have also struggled with corruption, with Pakistan ranking 135th, Sri Lanka at 121st, and Bangladesh at 149th. China, on the other hand, stands at 76th place.
The United States dropped from 24th to 28th place, with its score declining from 69 to 65. Similarly, France, Germany, and Canada also saw their rankings drop.
The CPI considers multiple factors, including misuse of public funds, bribery, nepotism in government services, and the enforcement of anti-corruption laws. The 2024 report highlights that corruption remains a serious issue worldwide, but efforts for reform are underway in several countries.
