The 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index ranks Denmark as the least corrupt nation, with South Sudan at the bottom. India dropped to 96th place, three positions lower than last year, with a score of 38. The report reveals a worrying trend of rising corruption levels worldwide, particularly among major economies, impacting governance and climate action.
Denmark has been identified as the least corrupt country in the world, as reported in the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) compiled by Transparency International. This index evaluates the public sector corruption levels across 180 countries and territories through expert and business opinions, employing a scale from zero to 100. India is ranked 96th in this index, falling three places from the previous year, and has a score of 38, down from 39 in 2023.
Among India’s neighbors, Pakistan is positioned at 135th, Sri Lanka at 121st, and Bangladesh is further down at 149th, while China ranks at 76th. Notably, several countries experienced their poorest evaluations in over a decade, including major powers such as the United States and France. The United States fell to 28th place, with its score declining from 69 to 65 points, while France dropped to 25th and Germany to 15th, indicating a concerning trend in Western nations’ corruption levels.
The report highlights South Sudan as the most corrupt nation, scoring just eight points, followed closely by Somalia with nine points. Venezuela and Syria follow with ten and twelve points, respectively. The findings underscore a global crisis, stating that corruption is pervasive, contributing to stagnation or deterioration in the integrity of public sectors in 148 countries since 2012, despite improvements in 32 nations.
The report also draws attention to the implications of corruption on environmental policies and climate change. It points out that insufficient transparency in financial mechanisms leads to risks of misappropriation of funds intended for climate action. It urges that corrupt practices significantly hinder efforts to implement necessary policies for addressing climate issues, thus affecting the most vulnerable populations.
Additionally, the report emphasizes that nations with higher CPI scores possess the resources to combat corruption effectively but often yield to fossil fuel interests. Corruption is framed not merely as a hindrance to development but also as a factor exacerbating crises in democracy, human rights, and stability. The international community is called upon to elevate the fight against corruption as a paramount concern to ensure lasting peace and progress.
In summary, Denmark leads the Corruption Perceptions Index as the least corrupt country, contrasting sharply with South Sudan at the bottom. India has seen a decline in its ranking, reflecting broader trends of stagnation or decline in many countries globally. The report underscores the detrimental effects of corruption on public trust, governance, and the progressive action needed to combat climate change, calling for urgent global cooperation to address these critical issues.
Original Source: www.ndtv.com
