Source: Kinga Warda¸ PKF Malta¸ December 2013

The Corruption Perception Index (CPI) was created in 1995 by Transparency International. It measures the perceived levels of public sector corruptions in 177 countries and territories on a scale of zero to 10¸ with zero indicating high levels of corruption and 10 indicating low levels.

How does it work?

Each year Transparency International scores countries on how corrupt their public sectors are seen to be. It is a perceived level of corruption¸ as determined by “expert assessments and opinion surveys.”

The corruption perception index is measured with a different methodology year to year¸ making yearly comparisons difficult. Therefore¸ it shouldn’t be used as a tool for measuring the implications of new policies.

2013 Corruption Perception Index

 

Source: Transparency International

In this year’s CPI¸ Denmark and New Zealand are at the top of the list with scores of 91 each¸ followed by Finland and Sweden (89)

Malta has slipped two places in the 2013 Corruption Perception Index by Transparency International.

Afghanistan¸ North Korea and Somalia this year make up the worst performers¸  scoring just 8 points each.

Among the emerging economies¸ Brazil ranks 72 with a score of 42 and China ranks 80 with a score of 40.

“The Corruption Perceptions Index 2013 demonstrates that all countries still face the threat of corruption at all levels of government¸ from the issuing of local permits to the enforcement of laws and regulations¸” Huguette Labelle¸ chair of Transparency International¸ said.

“The top performers clearly reveal how transparency supports accountability and can stop corruption¸” said Labelle. “Still¸ the better performers face issues like state capture¸ campaign finance and the oversight of big public contracts which remain major corruption risks.”