The Corruption Perception Index (CPI) 2020 published this Thursday, January 28, 2021 by Transparency International reveals that persistent corruption weakens health systems and contributes to the decline of democracy in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. In nearly a decade, more than two-thirds of countries have scored below 50.
Félicienne HOUESSOU
This year's CPI paints a bleak picture of the state of corruption around the world. While most countries have made little progress in the fight against corruption in nearly a decade, more than two-thirds of countries score below 50. According to this new report from Transparency International, many countries have not changed at all. From 2019 to 2020, some have stagnated while a few have made some progress. The analysis shows that corruption not only weakens the global health response to Covid-19, but also contributes to deepening the ongoing democratic crisis.
Countries that perform well on the index invest more in health care, are better able to provide universal health coverage, and are less likely to undermine democratic norms and institutions or the rule of law. Thus, Denmark and New Zealand are at the top of the index, with 88 points. Syria, Somalia and South Sudan come in last place, with 14, 12 and 12 points, respectively.
For Delia Ferreira Rubio, President of Transparency International, the past year has tested governments like never before. "Those with the highest levels of corruption have struggled the most to meet the challenge. But even those who lead the IPC urgently need to address the role they play in perpetuating corruption at home and abroad," she said. This edition of the CPI scores 180 countries and territories according to their perceived levels of corruption in the public sector, based on assessments by experts and businessmen.