According to the latest survey by Transparency International, Afghanistan, North Korea and Somalia are seen as the most corrupt nations in the world.
More than two thirds of the 177 countries included in the 2013 Corruption Perceptions Index scored below 50, whereby 0 indicates that the country’s public sector is seen as highly corrupt and 100 as very clean.
Denmark and New Zealand were scored the highest at 91, making these countries the cleanest whereas Afghanistan, North Korea and Somalia were scored with 8 points each, making these countries most corrupt.
“All countries still face the threat of corruption at all levels of government, from the issuing of local permits to the enforcement of laws and regulations,” said Huguette Labelle, Transparency International’s Chair.
In Syria, where 100,000 people have died in a conflict which began in 2011 and has now exploded into a war, people regard its public sector as increasingly corrupt.
The stricken nation dropped nine points from 144th place to 168th. Yemen, Libya, Australia, Spain, Guatemala and Madagascar were among the other countries whose scores have declined significantly.
The country which saw the biggest improvement was Myanmar, rising from the 5th last position in 2012 to 19 places from the bottom this year. Brunei, Laos, Senegal, Nepal, Estonia, Lesotho and Latvia also improved in scores and placings.
This improvement reflects the advantages of introducing more open and democratic rules after years of military rule, according to Transparency International’s Asia Pacific Director, Srirak Plipat.
Myanmar also formalised an international treaty against corruption in December 2012 and the parliament approved an anti-corruption law in July, although this is yet to be enforced.
Although Greece‘s score increased by four points this year to 40, the country still remained as the lowest ranking country in the European Union at 80th place.
The UK jumped from 17th to 14th place with a score of 76 whereas the U.S. did not change from last year, ranking 19th with a score of 73. On the other hand, Australia dropped two places to 9th position with a score of 81.
The Corruption Perceptions Index is based on perceptions of corruption in public institutions such as political parties, police and justice systems according to business people and experts.
Strong accessibility of information systems and rules governing the behaviour of public officials can help a country improve, while a lack of accountability and weak public institutions ruins these perceptions, Transparency International stated.
The organization called on officials and public institutions to be more open, adding that corruption remains notoriously difficult to investigate and prosecute.
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