The 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index reveals Denmark as the least corrupt country, while South Sudan ranks lowest. India falls to 96th place, showing a decline in its corruption score. Many nations have witnessed drops in their rankings, highlighting a global crisis in corruption that affects development and climate change initiatives.
Denmark has been identified as the least corrupt nation globally according to the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) by Transparency International, followed closely by Finland, Singapore, and New Zealand. India stands at the 96th position, falling three spots from the previous year. The CPI evaluates 180 countries using a scale from zero, indicating high corruption, to 100, representing a corruption-free status.
India’s score in 2024 is 38, a decrease from 39 in 2023 and 40 in 2022. Among its neighbors, Pakistan is ranked 135th, Sri Lanka 121st, Bangladesh 149th, and China 76th. Many countries, including powerful nations like the United States and France, have witnessed a significant decline in their CPI rankings over the past decade.
The United States dropped from 69 points to 65, landing in the 28th position, while France fell four points to 67. Notably, Germany’s score decreased by three points, placing it at 15th. Countries such as Russia and Venezuela also recorded alarming declines, with Russia scoring 22 after losing four points amid rising authoritarianism.
South Sudan has emerged as the most corrupt country with only eight points, followed by Somalia with nine, Venezuela with ten, and Syria with twelve points. Transparency International emphasizes that, despite the reporting of improvements in 32 countries, there remains a substantial global challenge against corruption, affecting 148 nations that have stagnated or worsened.
The report warns of the impact of global corruption on climate change initiatives, indicating that a lack of transparency heightens the risk of financial mismanagement of climate funds. The report highlights that corruption and undue influence can obstruct the adoption of necessary policies for emission reduction and climate adaptation.
Moreover, it notes that countries with high CPI scores often fail to prioritize climate action, instead enabling fossil fuel industries. The report indicates that illicit financial flows pose serious corruption threats with implications that extend beyond national borders.
It concludes that corruption is a persistent global concern that undermines democracy and human rights. The international community is urged to prioritize anti-corruption measures to facilitate a peaceful and just world, as the trends in this year’s CPI underscore an urgent need for decisive action against global corruption.
In conclusion, Denmark ranks as the least corrupt country, while South Sudan is at the bottom of the index. India has dropped to the 96th position, indicating a troubling decline in corruption perceptions. The report reveals alarming trends in corruption affecting many nations, warning against the detrimental impact of corruption on climate change initiatives and urging the global community to take immediate action against this persistent issue.
Original Source: www.ndtv.com
