The 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index by Transparency International ranks Denmark as the least corrupt, followed by Finland, Singapore, and New Zealand. India’s ranking fell to 96th with a score of 38, indicating persistent corruption challenges. The report also highlights worsening trends in several Western nations and emphasizes the impact of corruption on global issues, including climate change.
Denmark has maintained its status as the least corrupt nation globally, according to the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) published by Transparency International. Following Denmark are Finland, Singapore, and New Zealand, all of which have demonstrated minimal corruption. Conversely, India has faced a decline in its ranking, now positioned at 96th with a score of 38 out of 100, down from 93rd last year, indicating ongoing corruption challenges within its public sector.
Within the South Asian context, India’s neighbors, including Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and China, have reported similarly low scores. Pakistan ranks at 135th, Sri Lanka at 121st, Bangladesh lower at 149th, while China performs slightly better at 76th. The trends reveal a regional struggle against corruption, with minimal advancements in addressing this pervasive issue.
The report shows that the global average corruption score remains unchanged at 43, with over 66% of countries scoring below the midpoint of 50. Transparency International emphasizes that despite improvements in nations like Ukraine, corruption levels continue to threaten humanitarian efforts and global challenges, including climate change and human rights issues.
Additionally, the report indicates a troubling pattern of declining corruption scores in Western nations. The United States fell from 69 points to 65, dropping from 24th to 28th place. Similarly, France and Germany also experienced declines, with Germany falling to 15th, equaling Canada in rank.
Authoritarian regimes continue to worsen, exemplified by Russia’s four-point drop to a score of 22 due to its invasion of Ukraine. Interestingly, Ukraine has shown progress in judicial independence and anti-corruption prosecutions, despite a slight decrease in its score to 35, highlighting a complex situation in combating corruption.
At the lower end of the index, South Sudan and Somalia remain the most corrupt nations, with scores of 8 and 9, respectively. Additionally, Venezuela and Syria rank poorly, scoring 10 and 12. Transparency International warns of corruption as a significant barrier to economic and democratic stability, urging immediate action to combat corruption and its detrimental impact on essential initiatives such as climate change efforts.
Finally, the report underscores the crucial relationship between corruption and climate action. Misappropriation of climate funds and private sector influence can severely hinder initiatives designed to combat emission reductions and climate adaptation strategies. “Corruption in climate action leads to environmental damage,” the report notes, emphasizing the fundamental need to safeguard these efforts to assist vulnerable populations effectively.
The 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index outlines the prevailing issue of corruption at both a regional and global level. Denmark remains the least corrupt nation, while India and several other South Asian countries struggle with low rankings. The report calls attention to the stagnation of the global corruption score and highlights the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to combat corruption, particularly concerning critical areas such as climate change.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
