The World’s Most Corrupt Countries

Transparency International works to map and counter corruption. Every year, they compile an index of the world’s most corrupt countries. The figures are based on how widespread corruption is in the countries’ public sector and unfortunately there is not a single country with a perfect ranking, which shows how common it is with abuse of power and bribes in the corridors of power. According to Countryaah, most of them are African countries.

The World's Most Corrupt Countries

Based on Abbreviationfinder, the countries on the list can get a maximum score of 100 and the lower the score, the more corrupt the country is. At the top – or bottom, depending on how you look at it – the strawberry places park North Korea, Afghanistan and Somalia. At the other end of the list, i.e. the least spoiled countries, we find our neighboring country Denmark and New Zealand. Sweden can also be considered to do what it can to prevent these types of problems with its 84 points, exactly the same as Singapore.

It is worth noting that Russia is dirtier than neighboring Belarus. It does not differ a bit either – 29 against 44 points. Then it is worth bearing in mind that Belarus is a dictatorship and Russia a “democracy”.

10. Guinea-Bissau

Corruption Index : 8/100

If you have never heard of Guinea-Bissau, you are not alone. The country is located in West Africa, between Guinea and Senegal, and has a population of about 1.7 million residents. The vast majority are relatively poor and corruption is a national pastime. Since the founding of the state in the early 1970s, no president has ever served an entire term. Guinea-Bissau is also an important hub for trade and organized crime.

9. Venezuela

Corruption Index : 17/100

Venezuela is one big mess. When Hugo Chavez was elected as the country’s leader in 1998, a number of problems arose. The nationalization of the country’s rich oil reserves created even more. Money that would go to the people instead ended up in the pockets of senior officials. Since then, the situation has only gotten worse. The country’s currency is almost useless and the economy is in free fall.

8. Iraq

Corruption Index: 16/100

Iraq’s great wealth and natural resources have made the country a target for a host of shady actors. Not surprisingly, corruption is also widespread. However, Iraq has to some extent seen some economic growth during the country’s reconstruction. External disruptions from American and European construction companies that want to restore the infrastructure and utilize the country’s oil reserves are frequent.

7. Libya

Corruption Index: 16/100

The situation in Libya is still turbulent. No formal government has taken root and fighting between rebels and those loyal to the old administration is still going on. This power vacuum has made the country vulnerable to, among others, arms dealers and corrupt military leaders.

6. Angola

Corruption Index : 15/100

Angola has climbed Transparency International’s corruption index alarmingly fast in recent years. Looting of government assets, extensive money laundering and embezzlement are some of the reasons. The country’s oil reserves make it a magnet for corruption. Angola is also the worst country in the world to be a child in.

5. South Sudan

Corruption Index : 15/100

For relatively obvious reasons, the relatively new nation of South Sudan lacks a long-term government and several social structures. This has led to great opportunities for corrupt politicians to come in and seize power. The country is undeveloped and its citizens participate in an economic system that is largely life-sustaining. Another problem is the lack of sense of nationality among the approximately 200 clear ethnic groups that occupy the country.

4. Sudan

Corruption Index : 12/100

Prolonged conflicts between rival factions and ethnic groups have destabilized Sudan’s ability to function effectively from an economic point of view. The result has been devastating for many of the country’s citizens. When South Sudan broke away from the rest of the country, they took with them large oil reserves, something that is expected to contribute to Sudan’s continued cancer.

3. Afghanistan

Corruption Index : 11/100

Afghanistan is today characterized by a state that largely lacks governance and is divided between a number of local tribal leaders and warlords. The country’s current president Hamid Karzai was notoriously corrupt. Among other things, he was found with his hand in the jam jar after it was discovered that he had received money from the American military and put it in his own pocket. Afghanistan is also home to the lion’s share of world heroin production.

2. Somalia

Corruption Index : 8/100

Corruption in Somalia is widespread and undermines the ongoing political process and state-building. The judiciary itself is permeated by corruption and bribes are often used to influence court decisions in, among other things, disputes over ownership of land or houses. The federal government and regional administrations, including Somaliland, lack effective governance structures and processes to effectively prevent and combat corruption.

1. North Korea

Corruption Index : 8/100

The internal effects of the North Korean government are mysterious to say the least. The world’s most closed nation receives financial assistance from China, among others, but nevertheless has massive problems producing enough fuel and food for its population. Military spending significantly outweighs spending on social programs and aid.

 

The country’s major problems can be traced back to a number of natural disasters and the collapse of the Soviet Union. With little hope for change in the near future, North Korea is doomed to remain one of the planet’s most corrupt and countries.

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