India’s standing in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI-2019) has experienced a downfall, going from 78 to 80 compared to its position in the year 2018. Internationally renowned for its contribution to placing corruption as a key concern in global policy discussions, the CPI was introduced in 1995 by Transparency International. Composed of data gathered from 13 surveys and expert evaluations, the CPI provides an extensive measure of corruption levels in the public sectors of 180 nations globally. The index gives each nation a score ranging from zero (indicating extensive corruption) to a hundred (symbolizing minimal corruption).
Transparency International, a Germany-based non-profit and non-governmental organization was established in 1993 with the aim of combating corruption. It operates from Berlin, Germany.
Global Status of Corruption
The efforts towards curtailing corruption are experiencing minimal to no improvement in a majority of countries worldwide. As per the data of the past eight years, only 22 nations, including Greece, Guyana and Estonia have witnessed notable improvement in their CPI scores. Meanwhile, 21 countries such as Canada, Australia and Nicaragua observed a significant downturn. For the remaining 137 nations, corruption levels remained fairly constant.
Corruption is more prevalent in nations where electoral campaigns can be easily manipulated by financial means and governments are influenced primarily by affluent or well-connected individuals. Economically robust nations like China, Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines etc., are still grappling with the issue of corruption. This is attributed to lack of transparency in decision making and suppression of dissenting voices.
High and Low Ranking Nations
Topping the list with a score of 87 are New Zealand and Denmark, closely followed by Finland (86), Singapore (85), Sweden (85) and Switzerland (85). On the other hand, nations such as Somalia, South Sudan and Syria rank at the bottom with scores of 9, 12 and 13 respectively.
Asia-Pacific Region: A Mixed Picture
In the 2019 Index, the average score was 45 for the Asia-Pacific region. This is slightly higher than the global average of 43. This represents a certain degree of stagnation across the region. High performing nations like New Zealand (87), Singapore (85), Australia (77), Hong Kong (76) and Japan (73) were unable to bring about substantial improvements in anti-corruption efforts or outcomes.
On the other hand, Afghanistan (16), North Korea (17) and Cambodia (20) continue to pose significant challenges due to their low scores. China, with a score of 41, has improved its position from 87 to 80.
| Country | Score | Global Rank |
|---|---|---|
| China | 41 | 80 |
| Afghanistan | 16 | ? |
| North Korea | 17 | ? |
| Cambodia | 20 | ? |
India’s Performance: Stagnation in Anti-Corruption Efforts
India continues to score 41 out of 100 as in 2018 and is currently ranked at number 80. The causes of this stagnation include unfair and opaque political financing, influence from powerful corporate interest groups in decision making, and lobbying.
Necessary Measures to Combat Corruption
Transparency International has put forward several recommendations to tackle the growing issue of corruption worldwide. These include managing conflicts of interest, controlling political finance, strengthening electoral integrity, regulating lobbying activities, empowering citizens, addressing preferential treatment, and reinforcing checks and balances.
These measures aim to facilitate a more transparent governance system by limiting undue influence, promoting accountability and prioritizing citizen’s interests. They represent a comprehensive approach to combat corruption, improving governance and fostering social and economic growth.
Last Modified: February 7, 2024