Global Corruption Perceptions Index 2024: Insights on Rankings and Challenges
Denmark remains the least corrupt country in the 2024 CPI, while India dropped to 96th place. The global average corruption score is stagnant, with many countries scoring below 50. The report warns of high corruption levels undermining global efforts in democracy and climate change. Authoritarian regimes are also declining, and urgent measures are needed to combat these issues effectively.
The 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) released by Transparency International reveals that Denmark has maintained its status as the least corrupt country globally for the second consecutive year, achieving an impressive score of 90. Finland and Singapore follow closely behind, with New Zealand rounding out the top four. In contrast, India has experienced a decline in its ranking, dropping from 93rd to 96th position, with a score of 38 out of 100, indicating persistent challenges in eradicating corruption from its public sector.
The CPI evaluates 180 nations, assessing perceived public sector corruption through the insights of experts and business personnel. Countries are scored on a scale from zero (most corrupt) to 100 (least corrupt). While Denmark’s elevated score underscores its success in handling corruption, India’s score illustrates ongoing struggles within its governmental frameworks.
In South Asia, India’s neighbors, including Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and China, face similar corruption challenges. Pakistan is ranked 135th, with Sri Lanka at 121st, Bangladesh lower at 149th, and China faring better at 76th. The report signifies that corruption remains a pervasive issue in the region, hampering progress across multiple nations.
According to the report, the global average corruption score remains stagnant at 43, with over two-thirds of countries reporting scores below 50. Transparency International indicates that, despite that some nations, such as Ukraine, have made advancements, corruption levels persist ominously high, undermining efforts to confront significant global challenges like climate change and human rights abuses.
The 2024 CPI report also highlights concerning declines in corruption metrics among several Western nations. Notably, the United States fell from 69 to 65 points, dropping from 24th to 28th place. France and Germany similarly declined, with France losing four points and six positions, while Germany fell three points and six spots to tie for 15th place with Canada.
The report further outlines a deteriorating trend in authoritarian regimes, specifically noting Russia’s decline due to its actions in Ukraine, which caused a four-point drop to a score of 22. In contrast, Ukraine saw marginal improvements in judicial independence and high-level corruption prosecutions, despite a slight decrease in its overall score to 35.
At the lower end of the index, South Sudan and Somalia ranked as the most corrupt countries with scores of 8 and 9, respectively, while Venezuela and Syria followed with scores of 10 and 12. Transparency International issues a stark warning that corruption not only impedes economic growth but also poses serious risks to democracy, stability, and human rights. “Global corruption levels remain alarmingly high, and efforts to reduce them are faltering,” the report urges.
The 2024 CPI also underscores the detrimental effects of corruption on climate change initiatives. It highlights that the misallocation of climate funds and undue influence from private sectors obstructs critical policies aimed at emission reduction and adaptation strategies. “Corruption in climate action leads to environmental damage, as funds intended for vital mitigation and adaptation efforts are stolen or misused,” the report emphasizes, calling for protective measures against corrupt practices to ensure the efficacy of climate action efforts.
The 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index highlights persistent corruption challenges in various countries, including a noticeable decline in India’s ranking. Transparency International underscores the need for urgent action to combat corruption, which presents significant risks to democracy, economic stability, and the effectiveness of climate change initiatives. The findings call for enhanced measures to address corruption globally, particularly in vulnerable regions. Finally, the report advocates for the protection of climate efforts from corrupt influences, emphasising the critical necessity of accountability in mitigating environmental degradation and supporting affected populations worldwide.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
