Corruption Perceptions Index 2023

WESTERN EUROPE & EUROPEAN UNION The average CPI score of 65 out of 100 has dropped for the first time in a decade in Western Europe and the EU. Despite remaining the top-scoring region in the CPI, robust anti-corruption measures continue to be undermined by the weakening of checks and balances. The erosion of political integrity contributes to diminishing public trust in countries’ ability to tackle the region’s ongoing challenges. The 2023 CPI reveals that anti- corruption efforts have stagnated or declined in more than three- quarters of the countries in the region. Among the 31 countries assessed, only six have improved their score, while eight have declined since 2012. Several high-ranking democracies, including Sweden (82), Netherlands (79), Iceland (72) and the United Kingdom (71), have recorded their lowest- ever scores. Notably, the UK has experienced a six-point decrease over the past five years. Denmark (90), Finland (87) and Norway (84) top the CPI ranking, while the lowest-performing countries— reflecting substantial weaknesses in the rule of law— include Hungary (42), Romania (46) and Bulgaria (45). Weak accountability and political corruption are undermining the rule of law in a region where people are losing trust in their institutions. In the most alarming cases, narrow interest groups have too much control over political decision making. In others, governments are targeting journalists, whistleblowers and other watchdogs. 31 COUNTRIES 65 AVERAGE SCORE LATEST IMPROVERS LATEST DECLINERS NEW MAXIMUM SCORES NEW MINIMUM SCORES BULGARIA 45 , ESTONIA 76 , LATVIA 60 and SLOVAKIA 54 ICELAND 72 , NETHERLANDS 79 , POLAND 54 , SWEDEN 82 and UNITED KINGDOM 71 AUSTRIA (-6 points since 2019) 71 /100 ESTONIA (+6 points since 2016) 76 /100 POLAND (-6 points since 2018) 54 /100 ITALY (+9 points since 2016) 56 /100 UNITED KINGDOM (-9 points since 2018) 71 /100 TOP SCORERS BOTTOM SCORERS BULGARIA FINLAND ROMANIA DENMARK 90 /100 87 /100 84 /100 46 /100 45 /100 42 /100 HUNGARY NORWAY CORRUPTION PERCEPTIONS INDEX 2023 19 Embargoed until 07.01am CET (Berlin) 30 January 2024