Denmark Tops Corruption Perception Index; South Sudan Falls to Bottom

Denmark has been identified as the least corrupt nation, with South Sudan as the most corrupt according to Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index. Nepal ranks 107th, scoring 34 points, while Bhutan leads South Asia with a score of 72. The results indicate a pressing need for strengthened anti-corruption measures in various nations, including Nepal.

On February 11, Transparency International revealed the Corruption Perception Index (CPI), which ranks Denmark as the least corrupt country in the world for the seventh consecutive year, achieving a score of 90. Conversely, South Sudan remains at the bottom of the list, scoring only 8 points out of 100, thus being identified as the most corrupt nation among the 180 countries evaluated.

Nepal, on the other hand, ranks 107th in the CPI with a score of 34. The scale of the CPI ranges from 0 to 100; with zero signifying the highest level of corruption and 100 denoting the least. A score under 50 indicates a concerning level of corruption.

This year’s overall average score across the surveyed countries is reported at 43. The index highlights that countries afflicted by conflict or weak governance frequently score lower, emphasizing a troubling trend linked to corruption. Notably, nations actively engaged in combating climate change are also exhibiting unusually low CPI scores, underscoring the pervasive nature of corruption in these regions.

Madan Krishna Sharma, Chairperson of Transparency International Nepal, stated that the CPI results underscore an urgent need for intensified anti-corruption initiatives in Nepal. In South Asia, Bhutan leads with a score of 72, while Afghanistan scores only 17. Other regional scores include India at 38, the Maldives with 38, Sri Lanka at 32, Pakistan at 27, and Bangladesh at 23. China, as a neighboring country, has a score of 43.

In summary, Denmark has reaffirmed its position as the least corrupt country, while South Sudan has been recognized as the most corrupt according to the CPI. Nepal’s position at 107th reflects significant challenges regarding corruption. The findings highlight an urgent need for anti-corruption efforts, particularly within conflict-hit nations and those involved in international climate discussions.

Original Source: risingnepaldaily.com