There are several countries who are actively battling corruption. While some countries have made significant strides in reducing corruption, others continue to face challenges.
A number of countries, including Malta, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Italy, Ukraine, and Romania, for instance, are attempting to eradicate this social canker.
Romania has long been battling corruption, especially in its political and judicial systems. The National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA) has made efforts to tackle corruption by investigating high-profile cases involving politicians and businessmen. Despite these efforts, Romania continues to face challenges in fully eradicating corruption.
Bulgaria is often ranked as one of the most corrupt countries in the European Union. The government has faced criticism for not doing enough to combat corruption. However, there have been efforts in recent years to strengthen the judiciary and crack down on corrupt practices, though progress has been slow.
In addition, Hungary has been criticized for its handling of corruption, particularly in relation to its close ties between business and politics. The country has faced EU scrutiny and funding cuts due to concerns over the misuse of EU funds and corruption within public institutions.
Also, Italy has a long history of battling corruption, particularly in relation to organized crime. Anti-corruption measures have been implemented over the years, and there have been high-profile cases involving political corruption. However, the issue remains a significant concern in some regions, especially in southern Italy.
While not part of the European Union, Ukraine has been a country of focus for both the EU and other European bodies due to its ongoing fight against corruption. Following the 2014 revolution, Ukraine implemented various reforms to reduce corruption, though it continues to face significant challenges.
Malta, on the other hand, has faced increasing scrutiny over corruption, especially following the assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, who was investigating corruption. Efforts have been made to improve the transparency of political and financial systems, but the country continues to face pressure to implement reforms.
While these countries continue to fight against corruption, it remains an ongoing issue in many parts of Europe and the world at large. Efforts by the European Union, including monitoring and sanctions, aim to support member states in their anti-corruption efforts.
Meanwhile, as of October 2024, some of the most corrupt countries in the world, according to various corruption indices, include:
Somalia— this country continues to rank at the bottom due to high levels of corruption across all sectors of governance and economy. The lack of functional institutions exacerbates the problem.
South Sudan— Struggles with rampant corruption amidst ongoing political instability and conflict, making it one of the most corrupt globally.
Syria— The protracted civil war and weakened governance structures have allowed corruption to flourish unchecked.
Venezuela— Economic collapse and political dysfunction have led to widespread corruption, especially in public procurement and the handling of state funds.
Haiti— Continues to face severe corruption challenges, especially in the aftermath of political assassinations and natural disasters.
North Korea— Despite being a closed state, reports indicate a deeply entrenched system of corruption in both public and private sectors.
Equatorial Guinea— Known for its authoritarian rule, corruption thrives due to mismanagement of the country’s oil wealth, benefiting a small elite.
Other nations such as Afghanistan, Libya, and Chad also rank poorly due to a combination of political instability, weak institutions, and a lack of transparency in governance
Corruption typically manifests in forms such as bribery, embezzlement, nepotism, and the misuse of public resources. It can occur at various levels, including within governments, businesses, and institutions, and it undermines the fairness of systems, hampers development, and exacerbates inequality.
There are various types of corruption, including:
Political Corruption – When government officials use their authority for personal enrichment, often affecting policy-making and election processes.
Bureaucratic Corruption – This occurs when public servants demand or receive bribes for services they are supposed to provide.
Corporate Corruption – In the private sector, corruption can include bribery, fraud, and other unethical practices to secure contracts or gain unfair advantages.
How Is Corruption Measured?
Corruption is measured primarily through perception-based indices, expert assessments, and surveys, as corruption often occurs behind closed doors and is difficult to quantify directly.
The most common and widely referenced tool is the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) by Transparency International, which ranks countries based on the perceived level of public sector corruption as seen by business people and experts.
Key factors influencing corruption measurement include:
Surveys and Expert Assessments: The CPI compiles data from a variety of surveys and expert opinions from reputable institutions like the World Bank and the Economist Intelligence Unit, focusing on issues like bribery, misappropriation of public funds, and the strength of anti-corruption efforts
Perception-Based Data: Since direct observation of corruption is limited, perceptions from business leaders, risk analysts, and experts are used. These perceptions include the frequency of bribes, illegal payments, and the use of public office for personal gain.
Corruption Control Mechanisms: The presence and effectiveness of anti-corruption laws, policies, transparency mechanisms, and the independence of institutions are evaluated. Countries with strong rule of law, effective government audits, and a free press are likely to score better.
Public Sector Corruption: Emphasis is placed on the degree of corruption in government institutions, such as law enforcement, the judiciary, and procurement processes.
Business Environment: The extent to which businesses encounter corruption in the form of bribery or nepotism in regulatory approvals or public contracting is considered.
Weak Systems Accounting For Corruption Surge In Ghana – Domelevo
Other indices, such as the World Bank Governance Indicators and TRACE Bribery Risk Matrix, assess the risks of bribery in different sectors and regions, offering another layer of insight into how corruption operates across the globe.
In fact, several organizations and indices have developed methodologies to assess and rank corruption levels, particularly in the public sector. Other bases and methods used for measuring corruption includes:
Citizen’s perspective: This measure focuses on what ordinary people experience in terms of corruption in their daily lives.
World Bank’s Control of Corruption Indicator: Part of the Worldwide Governance Indicators (WGI), this measures perceptions of corruption within a country, including:
Bribery
The influence of private interests on public policies
The extent of illicit enrichment by elites and officials
This indicator uses data from a variety of sources including risk assessment agencies and think tanks.
Business-focused: It provides country-specific information on corruption risks in different sectors, particularly from the perspective of businesses.
Risk assessments: It includes assessments of risks related to bribery, regulatory burdens, and transparency in business practices.
Corporate risk: This tool measures the risk of bribery faced by businesses in various countries. It assesses factors like the likelihood of bribery demands, enforcement of anti-bribery laws, and transparency in the government.
Factors: It evaluates government interaction with the private sector, anti-bribery enforcement, and the ability of civil society to hold the government accountable.
Public procurement: The extent to which public contracts are awarded based on favoritism or bribes rather than merit.
Political financing: The transparency and integrity of political campaign funding.
Judicial independence: The extent to which the judiciary is free from government or private influence.
Regulatory burdens: The complexity of regulations and whether they are used to extract bribes.
Press freedom: A free press is essential for exposing corrupt practices. Countries with low press freedom scores often correlate with higher corruption.
These indicators collectively help create a multi-dimensional view of corruption within a country or sector, enabling the development of corruption indices like the CPI. The emphasis is typically on the public sector, though some indices also consider private sector corruption.
