The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) for 2024 ranks Denmark as the least corrupt and South Sudan as the most corrupt nation globally. India’s rank has dropped to 96th place, indicating ongoing corruption challenges. The report highlights declining scores for several prominent countries, underlining the urgent need for effective measures to address corruption and enhance climate action strategies.
Denmark has topped the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) as the least corrupt country, followed by Finland, Singapore, and New Zealand. This annual report by Transparency International evaluates 180 countries based on perceived public sector corruption, using a scoring scale from zero (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean). In this year’s ranking, India has moved down to 96th place from 93rd last year, with an overall score of 38, down from 39 in 2023.
Among India’s neighboring nations, Pakistan is ranked at 135th, Sri Lanka at 121st, and Bangladesh at 149th, while China holds the 76th position. Several countries have reported their lowest corruption scores in over a decade, including significant democracies like the United States and France, both of which have witnessed declines in their CPI ratings. The United States fell from 69 points to 65, shifting from 24th to 28th place, while France decreased to 67 points and dropped to 25th place.
Russia’s situation has worsened significantly, scoring just 22 points, exacerbated by its invasion of Ukraine, which has entrenched authoritarianism. Transparency International notes Ukraine’s score dipped to 35, despite making progress in judicial independence and high-profile corruption prosecutions. Conversely, South Sudan occupies the lowest rank globally with only eight points, closely followed by Somalia at nine points, Venezuela at ten points, and Syria at twelve points.
The report emphasizes that global corruption levels are alarmingly high, with efforts to mitigate them stalling in many regions. While 32 countries have significantly improved their corruption standings since 2012, the majority of countries remain stagnant or regressive. Additionally, the report highlights corruption’s detrimental impact on climate initiatives, noting how a lack of transparency can lead to embezzlement of climate funds, obstructing essential policies for emission reductions.
Transparency International urges that managing corruption is indispensable in ensuring the effectiveness of climate mitigation and adaptation efforts. Many nations with high CPI scores have the resources required to promote corruption-resistant actions worldwide. Nevertheless, these countries often prioritize fossil fuel interests, resulting in a detrimental ripple effect of dirty money that reaches well beyond their borders.
In conclusion, corruption continues to be a significant global threat that undermines development, democracy, and human rights. The international community must prioritize comprehensive strategies to combat corruption, as evidenced by the troubling trends highlighted in this year’s CPI report. Timely and decisive actions are essential to curtailing corruption, promoting a just, democratic, and sustainable world.
The Corruption Perceptions Index for 2024 reveals serious issues of corruption worldwide, with Denmark leading as the least corrupt nation and South Sudan at the bottom. India has dropped in rank, underscoring persistent corruption issues, particularly among its neighbors. The report emphasizes the need for actions to combat corruption and improve climate change efforts, stressing that coherent measures are crucial for a sustainable and equitable future.
Original Source: www.ndtv.com
