Corruption Perceptions Index 2019 - Executive Summary

ASIA PACIFIC A regional average of 45, after many consecutive years of an average score of 44, illustrates general stagnation across the Asia Pacific. 31 45 /100 COUNTRIES ASSESSED AVERAGE REGIONAL SCORE TOP SCORERS BOTTOM SCORERS NORTH KOREA SINGAPORE CAMBODIA NEW ZEALAND 87 /100 85 /100 77 /100 20 /100 17 /100 16 /100 AFGHANISTAN AUSTRALIA Despite the presence of high performers like New Zealand (87), Singapore (85), Australia (77), Hong Kong (76) and Japan (73), the region hasn’t witnessed substantial progress in anti- corruption efforts or results. In addition, low performers like Afghanistan (16), North Korea (17) and Cambodia (20) continue to highlight serious challenges in the region. While often seen as an engine of the global economy, in terms of political integrity and governance, the region performs only marginally better than the global average. Many countries see economic openness as a way forward, however, governments across the region, from China to Cambodia to Vietnam, continue to restrict participation in public affairs, silence dissenting voices and keep decision-making out of public scrutiny. 27 Given these issues, it comes as no surprise that vibrant economic powers like China (41), Indonesia (40), Vietnam (37), the Philippines (34) and others continue to struggle to tackle corruption. Even in democracies, such as Australia 28 and India 29 , unfair and opaque political financing and undue influence in decision- making and lobbying by powerful corporate interest groups, result in stagnation or decline in control of corruption. TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL 14