News Desk
Pakistan’s ranking on the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) has declined by two spots, placing it at 135th out of 180 countries, according to Transparency International’s latest report released Tuesday. The country’s CPI score fell from 29 in 2023 to 27 in 2024, reflecting a worsening perception of corruption in the public sector.
The CPI, compiled annually by Transparency International Berlin, evaluates countries on a scale from zero (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean). Transparency International Pakistan clarified that it does not collect data or calculate scores but highlighted the regional trend of declining CPI scores, with exceptions in Oman, China, Turkey, and Mongolia.
Transparency International Pakistan Chairperson Justice (retd) Zia Perwez noted that Pakistan’s ranking decline aligns with a broader regional downturn but emphasized that the country is still resisting the global trend of deepening corruption.
The report underscores that corruption remains alarmingly high worldwide, with more than two-thirds of countries scoring below 50. The global average remains stagnant at 43, raising concerns over the impact of corruption on governance, economic stability, and climate action.
TI Chairperson François Valérian warned that corruption is a growing global threat linked to declining democracy, human rights violations, and instability. He urged nations to prioritize anti-corruption measures to combat authoritarianism and build a sustainable future.
Denmark topped the index for the seventh consecutive year with a score of 90, followed by Finland (88) and Singapore (84). In contrast, the lowest-ranked countries, including South Sudan (8), Somalia (9), Venezuela (10), and Syria (12), continue to struggle with severe corruption, often exacerbated by conflict and weak governance.
Over a quarter of the countries surveyed reported their lowest CPI scores to date, including Austria (67), Bangladesh (23), Brazil (34), and the United States (65). However, some nations, such as Côte d’Ivoire (45), the Dominican Republic (36), and Moldova (43), have made significant improvements over the past five years.
The CPI also highlights the risks posed to global climate funds, with billions of dollars at risk of mismanagement due to corruption. Many of the countries most vulnerable to climate change score below 50 on the index, making it harder for them to implement effective climate solutions. Cases in South Africa, Vietnam, and Indonesia illustrate how weak safeguards allow corruption to undermine climate transition efforts.
The report warns that corruption is worsening the global response to the climate crisis, particularly in highly affected countries like Somalia, South Sudan, and Venezuela, where governance failures are exacerbating the impact of extreme weather events. Transparency International called for urgent reforms to strengthen transparency and accountability in climate-related financing and policy implementation.
