The 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index ranks Denmark as the least corrupt nation, while India drops to 96th place with a score of 38. The report highlights ongoing corruption challenges in South Asia and stagnating global averages, alongside worrying declines in corruption scores of Western countries. Corruption remains a significant deterrent to economic growth and democracy while complicating efforts to address climate change.
According to the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) released by Transparency International, Denmark has been ranked the least corrupt country for two consecutive years, followed by Finland, Singapore, and New Zealand. Conversely, India has seen a decline in its ranking, falling from 93rd to 96th place, with a CPI score of 38 out of 100, highlighting ongoing public sector corruption challenges.
The CPI assesses perceived public sector corruption levels in 180 countries, with scores ranging from zero (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean). Denmark achieved a score of 90, contrasting sharply with India’s score of 38, which underscores the substantial hurdles India faces in curtailing corruption across its public institutions.
In terms of regional dynamics, South Asian countries such as Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and China continue to contend with poor corruption rankings. Pakistan ranks 135th, Sri Lanka at 121st, Bangladesh at 149th, and China, while positioned slightly higher, ranks at 76th. These scores illustrate the widespread corruption issues plaguing the region.
Globally, the average corruption score remains stagnant at 43, with two-thirds of assessed countries scoring below 50. Despite some improvements seen in nations like Ukraine, the global situation regarding corruption remains deeply troubling, with significant implications for addressing global challenges, such as climate change and human rights violations.
The 2024 CPI also reflects a concerning decline in the corruption scores of several Western nations, notably the United States, which saw its score drop from 69 to 65, resulting in a fall from 24th to 28th position. France and Germany also experienced declines, further indicating a troubling trend in governance within these countries.
Authoritarian regimes have not fared better, with Russia experiencing a notable drop in its corruption score to 22, largely attributed to its actions in Ukraine. However, Ukraine has demonstrated positive movement, particularly in enhancing judicial independence, despite a slight decrease in its overall score to 35.
At the lower end of the index, South Sudan and Somalia hold the distinction of being the most corrupt countries, with scores of 8 and 9, respectively, followed by Venezuela and Syria. Transparency International emphasizes that corruption threatens economic growth, democratic stability, and human rights on a global scale.
The report also highlights how corruption poses a serious threat to climate change efforts, particularly through the misappropriation of climate funds and undue influence from private sector interests. “Corruption in climate action leads to environmental damage, as funds intended for vital mitigation and adaptation efforts are stolen or misused,” the analysis states, underscoring the critical need to protect these initiatives from corrupt practices.
The 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index reveals a significant disparity in corruption levels globally, with Denmark and other Scandinavian nations leading in transparency while India and its South Asian neighbors face substantial corruption challenges. The stagnation of the global average score and declines in scores across several Western nations indicate a pressing need for renewed anti-corruption efforts. The impact of corruption extends beyond economics, threatening democratic institutions and exacerbating issues like climate change, necessitating urgent action to safeguard against its pervasive influence.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
