UK remains outside top 10 for fourth year running

January 25, 2022 – The 2021 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) released today by Transparency International shows that corruption levels remain at a standstill worldwide with 86 per cent of countries – including the UK - making little to no progress in the last 10 years.

The CPI uses surveys from experts and business leaders to score and rank 180 countries and territories by their perceived levels of public sector corruption. It uses a scale of zero (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean).

Denmark (88), Finland (88) and New Zealand (88) top the latest rankings, while Somalia (13), Syria (13) and South Sudan (11) remain at the bottom of the Index.

The latest CPI shows the UK’s score stagnating outside the top 10 for a fourth consecutive year, with a score of 78.

UK’s CPI results since 2012

Daniel Bruce, Chief Executive of Transparency International UK, said:

“With more than eight out of ten countries either backsliding or making little progress, these results are a stark reminder that there is no room for complacency. While the pandemic will undoubtedly have hampered the global fight against corruption, it must not be used as an excuse for continued curbs on transparency and accountability.  

“The UK’s results reflect the global picture of stagnation, with the country now remaining outside the top 10 for the fourth year running. If Britain is to be a credible, let alone a leading voice in the global fight against corruption, now is the time to turn words into action. As well as making good on pledges to address the UK’s role as a global hub for dirty money, showing the political courage to enact stronger rules governing the conduct of our leaders and elected representatives would send a clear message about the government’s commitment to fighting corruption.”

The CPI global average remains unchanged at 43 for the tenth year in a row. Two-thirds of countries score below 50 in the Index.

In the last decade, 154 countries have either declined or made no significant progress.

Since 2012, 23 countries have significantly declined on the CPI – including advanced economies such as Australia (73), Canada (74) and the United States (67), the latter dropping out of the top 25 countries on the Index for the first time.

Twenty-five countries have significantly improved their scores, including Estonia (74), Seychelles (70) and Armenia (49).

For each country’s individual score and changes over time, as well as analysis for each region, see the 2021 CPI page.

Notes to editors:

About the Corruption Perceptions Index

The CPI measures perceived levels of corrupt practices in the public sector such as bribery, the use of public office for private gain, and the diversion of public funds. It does not measure how a country facilitates corruption elsewhere in the world.

The CPI is a ‘poll of polls’ that collates and standardises data from 12 independent sources such as the World Bank, World Economic Forum, and the Economist’s Intelligence Unit. More information is available here - https://www.transparency.org/research/cpi