Pakistan has slipped two spots in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2024, ranking 135th out of 180 countries compared to 133rd in 2023, according to Transparency International’s latest report.
Transparency International Pakistan (TIP) clarified that it does not collect data or calculate scores, as this is done by Transparency International Berlin.
The CPI ranks 180 countries based on perceived corruption levels in the public sector, using a scale from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean).
TIP Chairperson Justice (retd) Zia Perwez noted that most countries in the region except Oman, China, Turkey, and Mongolia saw a decline, including Pakistan, which dropped from 29 in 2023 to 27 in 2024.
He stated that Pakistan remains one of the nations struggling against corruption despite the regional trend.
‘Corruption levels remain alarmingly high’
Transparency International’s report highlights that global corruption remains alarmingly high, with two-thirds of the surveyed countries scoring below 50. The global average score remains stagnant at 43, signaling the urgent need for anti-corruption efforts.
The report warns that corruption is worsening global challenges, including climate change, as many nations fail to take strong measures against fraud and financial mismanagement.
Amid record-breaking temperatures, democratic instability, and weak climate leadership, Transparency International stressed that corruption is slowing progress on climate solutions.
The watchdog urged the international community to address the connection between corruption and the worsening climate crisis.
Pakistan’s Declining Rank, Global Trends
Transparency International (TI) Chairperson François Valérian stated that corruption is a growing global threat, leading to declining democracy, instability, and human rights violations. He urged nations to prioritize long-term strategies to combat corruption.
The report states that around 6.8 billion people – 85 percent of the world’s population – live in countries with a CPI score below 50.
Denmark remains the least corrupt nation with a score of 90, followed by Finland (88) and Singapore (84). The most corrupt nations include South Sudan (8), Somalia (9), and Venezuela (10).
Several countries recorded their worst-ever CPI scores, including the United States (65), Germany (75), France (67), Russia (22), Bangladesh (23), and Mexico (26).
However, seven countries, including Côte d’Ivoire, the Dominican Republic, and Moldova, improved their rankings in the last five years.
Corruption and Climate Crisis
The report highlights that billions of dollars in climate funds are at risk due to corruption. Countries highly vulnerable to climate change often have CPI scores below 50, affecting global efforts to combat climate disasters.
Corruption threatens climate transition projects in South Africa, Vietnam, and Indonesia. In South Africa, the state-owned energy provider Eskom reportedly loses more than $56 million monthly due to corruption.
Nations facing severe climate crises, including South Sudan, Somalia, and Venezuela, have some of the lowest CPI scores. In Somalia, corruption has worsened economic instability and prolonged decades of conflict.
TI stressed the need for stronger transparency and accountability measures to prevent corruption from derailing climate action worldwide.
