Corruption Perceptions Index 2024

The 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) shows that corruption is a dangerous problem in every part of the world, but change for the better is happening in many countries.

Research also reveals that corruption is a major threat to climate action. It hinders progress in reducing emissions and adapting to the unavoidable effects of global heating.

The CPI ranks 180 countries and territories worldwide by their perceived levels of public sector corruption. The results are given on a scale of 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean).

While 32 countries have significantly reduced their corruption levels since 2012, there’s still a huge amount of work to be done – 148 countries have stayed stagnant or gotten worse during the same period. The global average of 43 has also stood still for years, while over two-thirds of countries score below 50. Billions of people live in countries where corruption destroys lives and undermines human rights.

Corruption is strongly intertwined with one of the biggest challenges humanity currently faces: climate change.

Huge numbers of people around the world suffer severe consequences of global heating, as funds intended to help countries cut greenhouse gas emissions and protect vulnerable populations are stolen or misused. At the same time, corruption in the form of undue influence obstructs policies aimed at addressing the climate crisis and leads to environmental damage.

Protecting climate mitigation and adaptation efforts from corruption will make these life-saving activities more effective and, in turn, benefit people in need.

Many nations with high CPI scores have the resources and power to drive corruption-resistant climate action around the world, but instead they often serve the interests of fossil fuel companies. Some of these countries are also home to financial hubs that attract illicit funds stemming from corruption, environmental destruction and other crime. While the CPI does not measure this, dirty money poses a major corruption problem with harmful effects that reach far beyond these countries’ borders.

While there are many inspiring breakthroughs, every continent has serious causes for concern. This year, three regions declined in their overall corruption levels and only one improved.

The Middle East and North Africa’s rising average score is a reason for optimism, but this is the first increase in over a decade and it’s only by one point – to 39 out of 100. To make significant progress, this region must address the huge challenges of conflict and authoritarianism. The same factors combine with weak justice systems in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, which has the second lowest average in the world.

Sub-Saharan Africa holds the lowest score. Severe pressures – from climate change to conflict – often hamper progress in this region. Nonetheless, there is hope, as several countries are showing the way forward with considerable improvements.

The top scorer is Western Europe and the European Union, but it has decreased overall for the second year in a row – many leaders are serving business interests rather than the common good and laws are often poorly enforced.

Across the Atlantic, the Americas must urgently address impunity, protect civic space and take measures to curb the influence of organised crime and elites in politics. And while Asia Pacific does have a range of improving countries, its average score is decreasing, as vicious cycles of corruption and climate change impacts take their toll.

Read our overviews of the key corruption topics, hot spots and reasons for hope in every region.