On 30 January 2024, Transparency International released its much-anticipated Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) for the year 2023. The report, which assesses 180 countries and territories worldwide, provides a sobering insight into the state of corruption across the globe. Utilising a scoring scale from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean), the CPI provides valuable insights into the prevalence of corruption and the urgent need for collective action.
A global challenge
The 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index reveals a troubling reality: corruption remains a pervasive issue worldwide. With over two-thirds of countries scoring below 50 out of 100, it’s evident that many nations face serious corruption challenges. The global average score stagnates at a mere 43, signalling a lack of significant progress in the fight against corruption over the past decade.
One concerning trend noted in the CPI is the worldwide decline in the strength of justice systems. This lack of accountability for public officials creates an environment where corruption can thrive. Leaders from both authoritarian and democratic regimes contribute to this problem, allowing impunity to become more widespread. This injustice not only undermines democracy and the rule of law but also worsens social inequality, leaving vulnerable groups without any means to seek justice.
Global regional analysis
The CPI’s regional analysis provides valuable insights into the state of corruption across different parts of the world. While some regions have seen modest improvements, many continue to grapple with systemic corruption and political challenges.
- Western Europe and the European Union: Despite being the top-scoring region, Western Europe and the EU have witnessed a decline in their average score, signalling weakening checks and balances.
- Sub-Saharan Africa: Maintaining the lowest average score at 33, Sub-Saharan Africa faces significant challenges to democracy and the rule of law.
- Eastern Europe and Central Asia: Dysfunction in the rule of law and rising authoritarianism characterise this region’s struggle against corruption.
- Middle East and North Africa: Ongoing political corruption and conflict hinder progress in this region.
- Asia Pacific: Despite historical progress, stagnation persists, with some countries experiencing regression.
- The Americas: Weak rule of law and lack of judicial independence contribute to widespread impunity.
Key highlights and movers
The CPI also highlights specific countries that have seen significant shifts in their corruption ratings. While some nations have shown improvement, others have experienced concerning declines. Notable movers include Turkey, Guatemala, and Sweden, among others. The UK’s continuous decrease in rating underscores the severity of the corruption challenge even in traditionally high-scoring countries.
Highlights:
- 28 countries’ ratings improved
- 34 countries’ ratings declined
- 118 countries’ ratings remained unchanged
- UK experienced continuous decreased rating, dropping to a rating of 20
Main rating movers:
- Turkey: -11
- Guatemala: -9
- Sweden: -7
- Gabon: -7
- Mongolia: -6
- Sri Lanka: -4
- Kuwait: +7
- Dominican Republic: +7
- Cote D’Ivoire: +8
- Ukraine: +10
- Tanzania: +10
- Uzbekistan: +15
The release of the 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to combat corruption globally. As countries grapple with political challenges, weakening institutions, and pervasive impunity, concerted efforts are required to restore integrity and accountability. The CPI not only shines a light on the scale of the problem but also provides valuable insights for policymakers, activists, and citizens alike as they work towards a more transparent and just world.
How Neopay can help
At Neopay, we understand the importance of transparency, integrity, and compliance in today’s business landscape. Our comprehensive suite of solutions is designed to support your firm in addressing the geographical aspects of corruption risk highlighted by the CPI ratings of Transparency International. By leveraging our expertise and resources, we can assist your business in ensuring that your risk assessment processes are aligned with the latest global insights on corruption.
From advanced due diligence tools to tailored compliance frameworks, Neopay offers practical solutions to safeguard your business against the threats posed by corruption. Contact our team to find out how we can support your business.
