[iVento]

2013 Corruption Perceptions Index measures the perceived levels of public sector corruption in 177 countries and territories.



Corruption remains a global threat.

The Corruption Perceptions Index 2013 serves as a reminder that the abuse of power, secret dealings and bribery continue to ravage societies around the world.

The Index scores 177 countries and territories on a scale from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean). No country has a perfect score, and two-thirds of countries score below 50. This indicates a serious, worldwide corruption problem.

The world urgently needs a renewed effort to crack down on money laundering, clean up political finance, pursue the return of stolen assets and build more transparent public institutions.

To start, the Nordic countries are a safe bet for business, with Denmark, Finland, Sweden and Norway all among the least corrupt nations. Rounding out the top five are New Zealand, tied for first with Denmark with a score of 91, and Singapore, tied with Norway for No. 5.

Here are the 10 least corrupt countries in the world, according to the index:

1. Denmark

2. New Zealand (tied with Denmark for No. 1)

3. Finland

4. Sweden (tied with Finland for No. 3)

5. Norway

6. Singapore (tied with Norway for No. 5)

7. Switzerland

8. Netherlands

9. Australia

10. Canada (tied with Australia for No. 9)

What of the United States? The world's largest economy sits at No. 19 with a score of 73, while its fellow Anglophones to the north and south, Canada and Australia, are tied for 9th place with scores of 81. (Both have dropped since last year. In 2012, Canada scored an 84 and Australia an 85.) The United Kingdom is ranked No. 14.

Mexico, another U.S. neighbor, is listed as far more corrupt than Canada, with a score of 34 ranking it at 106 of 177. (This reporter's own experience suggests the country's low score is well-deserved.)

At the positively wretched end of the scale it's no surprise to see Yemen, Sudan, Syria and other Middle Eastern and African countries. But some of their scores look almost handsome beside the worst of the lot: Tied for last place are Afghanistan, North Koreaand Somalia, all having scored a measly 8 on the index.

Here are the world's 10 most corrupt nations, starting with the worst:

1. Somalia

2. North Korea (tied with Somalia and Afghanistan for No. 175)

3. Afghanistan (tied with North Korea and Somalia for No. 175)

4. Sudan

5. South Sudan

6. Libya

7. Iraq

8. Uzbekistan

9. Turkmenistan (tied with Uzbekistan and Syria for No. 168)

10. Syria (tied with Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan for No. 168)



Source: Transparency International

Further Reference: Zee News

[alpha1]

You know the most interesting thing about the survey is that in the past decade or so, there has hardly been any change in the relative rankings.

http://archive.transparency.org/poli...dices/cpi/2001

1. Finland
2. Denmark
3. New Zealand
4. Iceland
5. Singapore
6. Sweden
7. Canada
8. Netherlands
9. Luxembourg
10. Norway

India has slipped quite drastically though - from 70s to 90s.



Also the observation that you are quite close to your neighboring countries - which leads to a conclusion that this phenomena is a social/cultural thing.

[rahulsharma2008]

Aah New Zealand ! Its such a nice country with such lovely people. No wonder its up there at the top!

[WDM007]

I thought China will be somewhere down in the list, as there is not much transparency in the government system.

God knows, how much authentic these surveys are !

[Rehaan]

I wonder what our real rating is... y'know, before the 'setting' was made


On a serious note: Unfortunately I don't see any near-future relief from corruption. Computerized systems can help in a lot of the cases, but they are rarely implemented well. Even then, the enterprising Indian will find a way around them.

cya
R