Corruption Perceptions Index 2020 - Executive Summary

UNDER EMBARGO UNTIL 06:01 CET, 28 JANUARY 2020 REGIONAL HIGHLIGHTS While corruption differs in scale and scope across regions, it proved to be a universal obstacle to effectively combatting COVID-19. RESULTS BY REGION Average regional scores, with top and bottom performers in each region. WESTERN EUROPE & EU Average score Top: Denmark (88/100) Bottom: Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania (44/100) MIDDLE EAST & NORTH AFRICA Average score Top: United Arab Emirates (71/100) Bottom: Syria (14/100) SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA Average score Top: Seychelles (66/100) Bottom: Somalia, South Sudan (12/100) EASTERN EUROPE & CENTRAL ASIA Average score Top: Georgia (56/100) Bottom: Turkmenistan (19/100) ASIA PACIFIC Average score Top: New Zealand (88/100) Bottom: North Korea (18/100) AMERICAS Average score Top: Canada (77/100) Bottom: Venezuela (15/100) 43 39 66 36 45 32 At the top of the CPI, the pandemic tested Western Europe and the EU, with many countries lacking full transparency and accountability. In Asia Pacific and the Americas, some governments used COVID-19 to consolidate power, but left citizens without access to emergency aid. In the Middle East and North Africa, countries weakened anti- corruption measures, while parts of Eastern Europe and Central Asia reduced oversight and curtailed civil liberties. At the bottom of the CPI, Sub- Saharan Africa responded to COVID-19 with protests against rising costs of living, corruption and the misuse of emergency funds. CORRUPTION PERCEPTIONS INDEX 2020 11