India Slips to 96th Rank in Global Corruption Index: Transparency International Report Flags Concerns
New Delhi, February 11: India has slipped three spots in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2024, ranking 96th out of 180 countries, as per the latest report released by Transparency International on Tuesday. The country’s overall score dropped from 39 in 2023 to 38 this year, continuing a concerning downward trend from 40 in 2022.
The CPI, a widely recognized global benchmark for measuring public sector corruption, ranks nations based on perceptions from experts and business leaders. Countries are assessed on a scale from 0 to 100, where 0 represents a highly corrupt environment, while 100 signifies a nation with robust anti-corruption measures and high levels of transparency.
India’s slipping rank underscores growing concerns over governance and transparency. Among its South Asian neighbors, Pakistan ranked 135th, Sri Lanka 121st, and Bangladesh found itself much lower at 149th. Meanwhile, China fared better, securing the 76th position. At the top of the index, Denmark retained its position as the least corrupt country, followed closely by Finland and Singapore, highlighting the effectiveness of strong institutional frameworks and stringent anti-corruption policies.
The report paints a sobering picture of corruption worldwide, revealing that over two-thirds of the assessed nations scored below 50, with the global average stagnant at 43. While 32 countries have managed to improve their scores significantly since 2012, a staggering 148 have either stagnated or worsened, indicating that corruption remains a deeply entrenched global challenge.
Beyond governance issues, the report makes a compelling case for how corruption is a major roadblock to combating climate change. It highlights how funds meant for reducing carbon emissions and climate adaptation are often misused or siphoned off due to weak oversight. In many countries, corruption enables vested interests—such as fossil fuel corporations—to exert undue influence over policymaking, delaying or derailing climate action initiatives.
The report also flags a troubling trend among countries with high CPI scores. While these nations have the financial resources to spearhead anti-corruption efforts, they frequently serve the interests of large polluting industries. Additionally, global financial hubs in some of these nations continue to facilitate the flow of illicit funds linked to environmental destruction and criminal activities, exacerbating corruption’s global reach.
The Transparency International report underscores that corruption is more than just an economic or governance issue—it is a fundamental threat to democracy, stability, and human rights. It stresses the urgent need for global and national efforts to curb corruption through stronger legal frameworks, greater accountability, and stricter enforcement of anti-corruption laws.
“If the world is to push back against authoritarianism and ensure a peaceful, free, and sustainable future, addressing corruption must be a top priority,” the report warns. “The dangerous trends revealed in this year’s Corruption Perceptions Index demand immediate and concrete action.”
For India, the latest ranking serves as a wake-up call, emphasizing the need for stronger institutional checks, independent oversight bodies, and a renewed commitment to fighting corruption at all levels. With its growing global stature and aspirations of becoming a major economic power, ensuring transparency and good governance will be crucial in shaping its future trajectory.
