Corruption Perceptions Index 2023

EASTERN EUROPE & CENTRAL ASIA The CPI paints a troubling picture of Eastern Europe and Central Asia, an area struggling with dysfunctional rule of law, rising authoritarianism and systemic corruption. The average score of 35 out of 100 makes it the second lowest-scoring region in the world. Widespread democratic backsliding and weakening justice systems are undermining control of corruption, as institutions like the police, prosecutors and the courts are often unable to investigate and punish those who abuse their power. In a region where war and inflation are increasing poverty levels, it is crucial that leaders act for the common good. There are, however, countless examples of public officials systematically influencing policies and institutions to increase their power and steal public funds. Leaders urgently need to strengthen the rule of law, rights and democracy, but many are systematically attacking them. The 2023 CPI shows that while most countries in Eastern Europe and Central Asia are not making progress against corruption, five countries have significantly improved their CPI scores over the last 10 years. This shows that despite the substantial challenges faced in much of the region, change is possible. The rest have stagnated in their anti-corruption efforts, except for Bosnia and Herzegovina (35), Turkey (34) and Turkmenistan (18), which have declined. Turkey also reached its lowest score to date on the CPI this year, as did Serbia (36), Russia (26) and Tajikistan (20). 19 COUNTRIES 35 AVERAGE SCORE LATEST IMPROVERS LATEST DECLINERS NEW MAXIMUM SCORES NEW MINIMUM SCORES KAZAKHSTAN 39 , MOLDOVA 42 , UKRAINE 36 and UZBEKISTAN 33 RUSSIA 26 , TAJIKISTAN 20 and TURKEY 34 ARMENIA (+12 points since 2018) 47 /100 MOLDOVA (+10 points since 2019) 42 /100 UZBEKISTAN (+8 points since 2019) 33 /100 TURKEY (-7 points since 2018) 34 /100 TOP SCORERS BOTTOM SCORERS ARMENIA GEORGIA 53 /100 47 /100 46 /100 18 /100 TURKMENISTAN MONTENEGRO TAJIKISTAN 20 /100 AZERBAIJAN 23 /100 TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL 16 Embargoed until 07.01am CET (Berlin) 30 January 2024