Global corruption has worsened in 2025, with Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index showing a continued decline in public sector integrity across many countries. The index covers 182 countries and territories and uses a scale of 0 to 100, where 0 means highly corrupt and 100 means very clean. The latest edition shows the global average falling to 42, the lowest level in more than a decade. It also notes that 122 countries scored below 50, indicating widespread corruption risks.
Global Trends in CPI 2025
The number of countries scoring above 80 has fallen sharply from 12 a decade ago to only five this year. This suggests that even advanced democracies are facing governance challenges. The report marks that corruption is not limited to poorer states or unstable regions, but is also visible in many established political systems.
Top and Bottom Ranked Countries
- Denmark ranked first with a score of 89, maintaining its position for the eighth consecutive year.
- Finland followed with 88, while Singapore scored 84.
- South Sudan and Somalia were tied at rank 181 with 9 points each.
- Venezuela ranked 180th with a score of 10.
Performance of Major Democracies
Several well-known democracies recorded notable declines. New Zealand scored 81, Sweden 80, Canada 75, the United Kingdom 70, France 66, and the United States 64. The report indicates that a high CPI score does not mean a country is corruption-free, but it does reflect stronger institutional controls and lower perceived public sector corruption.
India’s Position and Long-Term Progress
India ranked 91st in the 2025 CPI with a score of 39, showing a slight improvement from the previous year. The report also notes that around 31 countries have reduced corruption since 2012. Estonia, Bhutan, and South Korea are cited among states that have made long-term gains through sustained anti-corruption efforts and institutional reform.
Last Modified: April 28, 2026