Corruption affects development all over the world. It hurts a country’s economy and social growth. The Corruption Perceptions Index CPI is a tool that measures this problem. Transparency International, a global civil society group, publishes the CPI every year.
The index scores countries based on how corrupt their public sector is seen to be. Experts and business people around the world provide these views.
This list of countries comes from the latest Corruption Perceptions Index released by Transparency International. The list uses a simple score. A score of 100 means a country is very clean. A score of 0 means the country is highly corrupt. This report focuses on the top 10 most corrupt countries. Their high scores on this negative scale show a serious challenge for their people and their future.
1. South Sudan Score 92
South Sudan has the highest perceived level of public corruption on this list. It gained independence from Sudan in 2011 after decades of civil war.
South Sudan’s development was supposed to be fast because of its oil wealth. Instead, a political elite quickly took control of government funds. They built a system of patronage, which means giving favors and positions to friends and family.
Reports show that billions of dollars have been stolen since the country became independent. Oil money, the country’s main income, is diverted from public services like healthcare and education. This widespread corruption has directly fueled new internal conflicts and economic ruin.
2. Somalia Score 91
Somalia has faced decades of chaos. Its central government collapsed in 1991 after a coup. This led to a long period of civil war and rule by competing warlords. Somalia was for a long time known as a failed state.
The country has tried to set up a new federal government since the 2000s. However, corruption remains a major obstacle.
International aid and development funds often get lost due to graft and misuse. This corruption affects the ability of the government to fight militant groups and provide basic security for its citizens. It continues to delay any real recovery and development.
3. Venezuela Score 90
Venezuela was once a rich country because of its massive oil reserves. Its modern history includes a series of democratic governments followed by the rise of the Bolivarian Revolution starting in 1999. Early on, social programs helped the poor.
However, the government became very authoritarian. It used the state-owned oil company to fund political allies and programs, creating huge opportunities for corruption. Poor economic management and a collapse in global oil prices worsened the crisis.
Today, Venezuela suffers from hyperinflation and a lack of basic goods. Millions of people have left the country. The government’s control over all economic sectors and its lack of transparency have led to massive corruption and a collapse of the rule of law.
4. Syria Score 88
Syria has a long history of authoritarian rule. The Ba’ath Party controlled the government for decades. Even before the civil war, corruption was a serious problem, based on loyalty and favoring a small elite.
The civil war, which started in 2011, shattered the country. It created a war economy. Corruption is now tied to the conflict itself. It takes the form of aid diversion, smuggling, and exploitation of exchange rates.
Different groups control different parts of the country, and all groups use corruption to enrich themselves and maintain power. This continuous instability makes it almost impossible to stop the flow of illegal money. It hurts the millions of people who need aid and a return to peace.
5. Yemen Score 87
Yemen’s history is full of internal division between its north and south. The country suffered from political instability and a lack of economic opportunity even before the current conflict. President Ali Abdullah Saleh ruled for many years, during which corruption and nepotism grew rampant.
The ongoing civil war, which started in 2014, has caused a terrible humanitarian disaster. Corruption in Yemen today is driven by the various warring factions. They use their control over resources and trade routes to make huge profits.
Funds meant for humanitarian relief are often diverted or taxed by these groups. This deep corruption worsens the suffering of the population and slows down any effort to provide food or medical help. It is a war of control and profit at the expense of the people.
6. Libya Score 87
Libya was ruled for 42 years by Colonel Muammar al-Gaddafi. His rule was based on the country’s oil wealth. However, his government was known for misuse of funds, waste, and state-controlled businesses.
After Gaddafi’s overthrow in 2011, the country fell into disorder and civil conflict. Different governments and armed groups now fight for control of the country’s huge oil wealth. This struggle for control is the main source of corruption.
The country’s institutions, including the national oil company and the central bank, are heavily politicized. The lack of a single, strong government means there is no accountability. Bribery and the misuse of public funds are widespread among all competing powers.
7. Eritrea Score 87
Eritrea won its independence from Ethiopia in 1991. For a short time, the country was seen as having a relatively low level of corruption. However, the government quickly became very centralized and authoritarian under its only president, Isaias Afwerki.
The country has a command economy, which means the state controls most of its business and trade. This total control, combined with a lack of a free press or independent courts, creates a perfect environment for corruption.
Military and government officials often demand bribes for simple services. Citizens face strict laws on travel and trade, which officials exploit for personal gain. The government does not prosecute these crimes, which has made corruption an accepted way of operating.
8. Equatorial Guinea Score 87
Equatorial Guinea is rich in oil. This wealth has not helped most of its citizens. The country has been ruled by the Obiang family since 1979. President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo is Africa’s longest-serving dictator.
Corruption is systematic and focused on the president’s family and close circle. This group controls the country’s oil revenues. They use a complex system of foreign bank accounts and shell companies to hide the stolen wealth.
The government’s system is a kleptocracy where official power is used only for private enrichment. The country’s legal system is weak and does not hold officials accountable. This means that a small number of people are extremely rich while most of the population remains poor.
9. Nicaragua Score 86
Nicaragua has a long history of political conflict, including the rule of the Somoza family until 1979 and the later Sandinista government. The country tried to build democracy after 1990. However, corruption remained a problem.
Current President Daniel Ortega returned to power in 2007. Since then, he and his family have increased their control over all government branches. This concentration of power has allowed corruption to grow unchecked.
The government is accused of using public funds for political purposes and giving favors to loyal businesses. This political corruption has weakened democratic institutions. It has led to widespread public protest and a harsh government response.
10. Sudan Score 85
Sudan has experienced a long series of military rule and internal conflicts since its independence in 1956. The rule of Omar al-Bashir from 1989 to 2019 was marked by a large-scale kleptocracy. State resources were systematically given to his cronies and military allies.
Even after al-Bashir was overthrown, military and paramilitary groups still control key economic sectors like gold and oil. This control allows them to divert huge profits away from the state budget.
The ongoing civil war is partly a fight for control over these wealth sources. The lack of a strong civilian government means corruption is deeply rooted in the country’s economy and security forces. This constant struggle for money and power keeps the country unstable.
