What happens when corruption runs deep in a country? It affects everything—the economy, politics, and people’s trust. Corruption is a pervasive issue that undermines the foundation of society, erodes public confidence in institutions, and perpetuates inequality.
It takes the form of bribery, embezzlement, and power abuse, which seriously impair a country's capacity to develop and support its people.
High levels of corruption are frequently associated with political instability, poverty, and inequality, whereas low levels of corruption promote transparency, innovation, and social justice.
Nonetheless, the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), unveiled by Transparency International reveals a disconcerting stagnation.
Denmark continues to uphold its reputation as the least corrupt country in 2024, renowned for its robust legal frameworks and transparent governance.
On the other hand, Somalia remains one of the most corrupt countries, plagued by weak institutions and widespread instability.
In this article, we’ll look into the top 10 most and least corrupt countries of 2024, analysing their governance, economic challenges, and the measures they are taking to tackle corruption.
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List of the Most and Least Corrupt Countries in the World 2025
The 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) evaluated 180 countries, assigning scores ranging from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean) based on perceived levels of corruption in the public sector.
Here’s the list of the most and least corrupt countries in the world in 2024, showcasing the rankings based on their corruption perception scores.
The list includes countries like Denmark, Finland, and New Zealand as the least corrupt, while Somalia, South Sudan, and Syria rank as the most corrupt. The list includes:
Least Corrupt Countries
| Rank | Country | Score |
| 1 | Denmark | 90 |
| 2 | Finland | 88 |
| 3 | Singapore | 84 |
| 4 | New Zealand | 83 |
| 5 | Luxembourg | 81 |
| 5 | Norway | 81 |
| 5 | Switzerland | 81 |
| 8 | Sweden | 80 |
| 9 | Netherlands | 78 |
| 10 | Australia | 77 |
| 10 | Iceland | 77 |
| 10 | Ireland | 77 |
Most Corrupt Countries
| Rank | Country | Score |
| 180 | South Sudan | 8 |
| 179 | Somalia | 9 |
| 178 | Venezuela | 10 |
| 177 | Syria | 12 |
| 173 | Equatorial Guinea | 13 |
| 173 | Eritrea | 13 |
| 173 | Libya | 13 |
| 173 | Yemen | 13 |
| 172 | Nicaragua | 14 |
| 170 | North Korea | 15 |
| 170 | Sudan | 15 |
Source: Corruption Perceptions Index
#96. India
India scores 38 on the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) for 2024, ranking 96th out of 180 countries, according to Transparency International. This reflects a slight decline from its previous score of 39 in 2023, when it ranked 93th.
In 2022, India was ranked 85th with a CPI score of 40. In 2021, India maintained the same score of 40. Despite efforts to combat corruption, issues such as bureaucratic inefficiencies, political patronage, and lack of accountability persist in various sectors.
The Indian government has implemented several anti-corruption measures over the years; however, challenges remain due to systemic issues within political structures.
The report highlights that while some progress has been made in certain areas, there are still significant gaps in civic space and fundamental rights protection ahead of elections.
In comparison to neighbouring countries like Pakistan (ranked 135) and Sri Lanka (ranked 121), India’s position reflects a need for continued efforts to address corruption and strengthen democratic institutions.
It is crucial for India to prioritise transparency and accountability in order to improve its standing in the global fight against corruption.
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