Corruption Perceptions Index 2018 - Executive Summary

CORRUPTION PERCEPTIONS INDEX 2018 10 41 Kuwait 78 36 Bahrain 99 35 Algeria 105 35 Egypt 105 28 Iran 138 28 Lebanon 138 18 Iraq 168 17 Libya 170 14 Yemen 176 13 Syria 178 70 United Arab Emirates 23 62 Qatar 33 61 Israel 34 52 Oman 53 49 Jordan 58 49 Saudi Arabia 58 43 Morocco 73 43 Tunisia 73 SCORE COUNTRY/TERRITORY RANK MIDDLE EAST & NORTHERN AFRICA 39 /100 AVERAGE SCORE The fight against corruption in the Middle East and Northern Africa remains grim. In a region where civil liberties continue to be under repressive state control and the social contract between states and their citizens has been broken for decades, it is no surprise that corruption remains stubbornly high. Leaders need to strengthen checks and balances, support citizens’ rights and deliver on anti-corruption commitments . In  Jordan , citizen protests helped unseat the prime minister, but the new government has yet to fulfil its anti-corruption commitments. Another challenge is the presence of influential actors blocking government attempts to advance anti-corruption. Looking ahead, the government should ensure financial and administrative independence of public institutions, and protect civil society and free speech. COUNTRIES TO WATCH