The current news reveals that India has fallen six places to rank 86th among 180 countries in the Corruption Perception Index (CPI), a significant publication of Transparency International.
Transparency International Overview
Transparency International is a global non-governmental organization established in 1993. Based in Berlin, Germany, its non-profit mission is to combat global corruption, formulate civil societal anti-corruption measures, and prevent criminal activities arising from corruption. Two of its notable publications are the Global Corruption Barometer and the CPI.
About the Corruption Perception Index
The CPI ranks 180 countries and territories based on the perceived level of public sector corruption as determined by experts and business people. The scale ranges from zero, indicating high levels of corruption, to 100, denoting a clean slate.
According to the 2020 CPI, corruption remains a prevalent issue worldwide, with a stark lack of progress toward mitigation seen in most countries over the past decade. The average score stands at 43, with more than two-thirds of countries scoring below 50.
Corruption and the Detrimental Impact on Democracy
The CPI also reveals the negative influence of corruption on the global health response to COVID-19 and the continuing crisis of democracy. Countries with higher corruption levels tend to experience breaches in democratic rules and laws during crisis management, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Top and Poor Performers in the CPI
The top-performing countries in the CPI are Denmark and New Zealand, both scoring 88, followed by Finland, Singapore, Sweden, and Switzerland, each scoring 85. In contrast, South Sudan and Somalia rank at the bottom with scores of 12 each, followed by Syria, Yemen, and Venezuela.
Regional Trends in Corruption
The region scoring the highest on average is Western Europe and the European Union with 66, while Sub-Saharan Africa and Eastern Europe and Central Asia score the lowest with 32 and 36, respectively.
India’s Performance and Slow Anti-Corruption Progress
India’s score in the 2020 CPI is 40, a drop from its 2019 score of 41. The slow progress in anti-corruption efforts in India has been attributed to several government reform commitments that have not been effectively implemented.
Corruption, Public Health, and the COVID-19 Pandemic
Corruption directly affects public spending on essential services such as health. Countries with higher levels of corruption tend to allocate less expenditure to health, irrespective of their level of economic development. Consequently, these countries show lower universal healthcare coverage and higher rates of infant and maternal mortality and deaths from various diseases.
Recommendations for Improvement
To combat corruption, Transparency International recommends strengthening oversight institutions to ensure adequate resource allocation to those most in need. Open and transparent contracting should be promoted to prevent wrongdoing and ensure fair pricing. Furthermore, civil society groups and the media need to be empowered to hold governments accountable, emphasizing the significance of publishing relevant data and guaranteeing information access.
