Global Corruption Declines to New Low, Transparency International Warns
The global fight against corruption is stalling, with public sector integrity deteriorating to its lowest level in over a decade, according to the 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) released by Transparency International.
The index, which ranks 180 countries and territories on perceived levels of public sector corruption on a scale from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean), shows a global average score of 42. More than two-thirds of all countries scored below 50, indicating serious corruption problems. While 31 countries have made significant progress since 2012, many more have seen stagnation or decline.
The report highlights a concerning rollback of democratic safeguards and increasing attacks on civil society as key drivers of this backslide. “Abuses of power continue to undermine governance,” the organisation stated, noting that growing anti-government protests worldwide reflect deep public frustration with unaccountable leadership.
The regional picture is particularly stark in Sub-Saharan Africa, which recorded the lowest average score globally at 32 out of 100. Of the region’s 49 countries, only four scored above 50. The data shows ten nations have significantly worsened since 2012, while only seven have improved, suggesting current anti-corruption strategies are failing.
Transparency International cautions that corruption in public resource management directly weakens political integrity, restricts access to essential services like healthcare and infrastructure, and disproportionately harms vulnerable communities. The impact is felt by citizens through underfunded hospitals, inadequate flood defences, and limited opportunities.
Even established democracies are not immune. The report notes declining performance in countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand, pointing to an emerging “anti-corruption leadership gap.” This gap, the organisation warns, weakens enforcement, lowers ambition, and erodes global standards.
A critical enabling factor is the increasing restriction of civic space. Tightening laws and risks for journalists, activists, and civil society organisations make it harder to expose abuses, reducing transparency and accountability. Furthermore, the report notes that countries with relatively clean domestic sectors can still facilitate global corruption through cross-border illicit financial flows and money laundering.
To reverse the trend, Transparency International urges governments to prioritise strengthening democratic institutions, justice systems, and public spending oversight. It also calls for preventing secret money from influencing elections and politics.
“It doesn’t have to be this way,” said Maíra Martini, CEO of Transparency International. “Our research shows there is a clear blueprint for holding power to account for the common good. At a time of climate crisis and instability, the world needs accountable leaders and independent institutions more than ever. Too often, they are falling short.”
The 2025 CPI underscores that without renewed and decisive commitment to democratic integrity and institutional strength, corruption will continue to erode public trust and service delivery worldwide.
