Global corruption levels remain stubbornly high, with a decline in leadership undermining international efforts to combat the issue, according to the 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) released by Transparency International. The index, which ranks 182 countries and territories based on perceived levels of public sector corruption, paints a concerning picture of a world where abuses of power continue to erode governance and fuel public discontent.
The CPI uses a scale of zero to 100, with zero representing highly corrupt and 100 indicating a very clean public sector. The global average score has fallen to a new low of 42, with over two-thirds of countries scoring below 50. This indicates a widespread lack of integrity in public administration and a growing vulnerability to corruption across the globe.
Transparency International warns that the impact of corruption is increasingly felt by ordinary citizens, manifesting in underfunded public services like hospitals and inadequate infrastructure such as unbuilt flood defences. Opportunities for young people are also diminished in environments where corruption thrives. The organization notes a direct link between rising public frustration, evidenced by anti-government protests in various parts of the world, and a perceived lack of accountability among leaders.
While 31 countries have demonstrated significant reductions in corruption levels since 2012, the report highlights a worrying trend: many others have either stagnated or experienced a worsening of corruption over the same period. This suggests that existing anti-corruption strategies are often insufficient or poorly implemented, failing to address the root causes of the problem.
Sub-Saharan Africa remains particularly vulnerable, recording an average score of 32 out of 100 – the lowest regional average globally. Only four of the region’s 49 countries achieved a score above 50. Ten countries in the region have seen a significant deterioration in their CPI scores since 2012, while only seven have shown improvement, signaling a systemic failure of current approaches.
The organization emphasizes that corruption in the management of public resources is a symptom of weak political integrity, restricting access to essential services and disproportionately harming vulnerable communities. Addressing this requires a fundamental shift towards prioritizing decisive action against corruption and strengthening democratic institutions.
At the top of the index, Denmark continues to lead, followed by Finland, Singapore, New Zealand, and Norway. However, even these established democracies are not immune to the broader trends. Transparency International has observed a concerning “anti-corruption leadership gap,” with declining performance even in countries traditionally considered clean. This suggests that complacency and a weakening of enforcement mechanisms are eroding global standards.
The report points to increasing restrictions on civic space as a major impediment to fighting corruption. When citizens, journalists, and civil society organizations are unable to freely expose abuses of power, transparency and accountability suffer. This creates an environment where corruption can flourish unchecked.
Transparency International also cautions that even countries with relatively clean public sectors can contribute to global corruption through cross-border illicit financial flows and money laundering. This underscores the need for international cooperation and stronger regulations to prevent the movement of illicit funds.
The organization calls for a renewed commitment to progress through stronger justice systems, improved oversight of public spending, and preventing secret money from influencing elections. “It doesn’t have to be this way,” said Maíra Martini, Transparency International’s Chief Executive Officer. “Our research and experience as a global movement fighting corruption show there is a clear blueprint for holding power to account for the common good.”
Martini further emphasized the urgency of addressing corruption, particularly in the context of the climate crisis, global instability, and increasing political polarization. “At a time of climate crisis, instability and polarisation, the world needs accountable leaders and independent institutions to protect the public interest more than ever. Too often, they are falling short.”
The 2025 CPI serves as a stark reminder that corruption is not merely a legal or economic issue, but a fundamental threat to good governance, social justice, and sustainable development. The report’s findings highlight the critical need for bold leadership, robust institutions, and a renewed commitment to transparency and accountability at all levels.
India, for example, ranked 96th out of 180 countries in the 2024 index, according to reports from . While not directly addressed in the 2025 report, this illustrates the pervasive nature of the challenge even in rapidly developing economies.
The report’s release comes amid growing global concern over the intersection of corruption and other pressing challenges, such as the climate crisis. Recent reports have highlighted how corruption can exacerbate the impacts of climate change by diverting resources away from adaptation and mitigation efforts, and by undermining environmental regulations.
