Corruption Perceptions Index 2022

REGIONAL HIGHLIGHTS This year’s scores reveal a continued standstill around the world when it comes to governments fighting public sector corruption. The continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, a changing security landscape and weakening democracy are affecting countries across different regions in various ways. Countries in the top scoring region, Western Europe and the European Union, have been stagnant for over a decade or have steadily declined over the past five years. Undue influence over decision-making, poor enforcement of integrity safeguards and threats to the rule of law continue to undermine governments’ effectiveness. Countries with low scores are still unable to make significant progress. In many parts of the Americas, Eastern Europe and Central Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa, restrictions and attacks on civic space and basic freedoms continue amidst multiple crises threatening security and stability, democracy and human rights. Similarly, in parts of Asia Pacific, increasing authoritarianism curtails dissenting voices and undermines civil society’s function as a watchdog. In the Middle East and North Africa where unequal political and economic power is deeply intertwined with conflict, corruption is undermining democratic processes, causing pervasive civil unrest and threatening regional security and stability. RESULTS BY REGION Average regional scores, with top and bottom performers in each region. AMERICAS Average score Top: Canada, Uruguay (74/100) Bottom: Venezuela (14/100) 43 MIDDLE EAST & NORTH AFRICA Average score Top: United Arab Emirates (67/100) Bottom: Syria (13/100) 38 WESTERN EUROPE & EU Average score Top: Denmark (90/100) Bottom: Hungary (42/100) 66 EASTERN EUROPE & CENTRAL ASIA Average score Top: Georgia (56/100) Bottom: Turkmenistan (19/100) 35 ASIA PACIFIC Average score Top: New Zealand (87/100) Bottom: North Korea (17/100) 45 SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA Average score Top: Seychelles (70/100) Bottom: Somalia (12/100) 32 CORRUPTION PERCEPTIONS INDEX 2022 11