More than two-thirds of the world's countries have a serious corruption problem. From blatant bribery and rigged elections to embezzling public funds and intimidating or even murdering political opponents and journalists, unethical dealings run rife across the planet. Using the latest 2019 data from Transparency International’s annual Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), we count down the world’s least and most corrupt places.

The index looks at 180 countries in terms of their perceived levels of public sector corruption, using insider info gleaned from experts and business people in the know. The index uses a scale of 0 to 100, where 0 is extremely corrupt and 100 is very clean and pristine. Let's begin with the world's least corrupt nations.

Corruption score: 73.

The Japanese are fortunate to live a life relatively free of corruption in both the economic and political spheres, and the country has maintained the same score as last year. However, the country is let down by a practice called 'amakudari', where senior politicians retire to executive or high-profile positions within the corporate realm, in particular the pharmaceutical, transportation and construction sectors. The country also has the highest debt-to-GDP ratio in the world, making it number one on our list of countries that are drowning in debt.

Corruption score: 74.

Ireland's score has increased by one point since the last ranking, and there is gradual improvement as the country has risen up from being the 25th least corrupt country in 2012. Ireland has made a lot of effort to improve of late, including introducing the Criminal Justice (Corruption Offences) Act 2018 to control bribery at home and abroad, and setting up a specific Garda Síochána (police) anti-corruption unit. However, there is some risk from its high levels of foreign investment and its dependence on multinationals.

Corruption score: 74.

Estonia has entered the top 20 and is up from 64th place in 2017. The score of 74 makes Estonia the least corrupt of the countries in Central and Eastern Europe. The Baltic state has effective anti-corruption laws and legislation, while gifts and hospitality in return for services are illegal. However, there have been reports of corruption in the public services sector – notably accusations of bribery against Tallinn's former mayor, Edgar Savisaar.

Corruption score: 75.

Belgium maintains a good reputation this year, retaining its prized 75 points. While the country’s Criminal Code prevents bribery of both national and foreign officials, and criminalises private and public bribery, nepotism in the public sector can still be an issue. A minority of officials are able to secure jobs for relatives unencumbered.

Corruption score: 76.

Hong Kong has maintained its score from last year, but it has fallen back a couple of places in the ranking. The chief anti-corruption law in the territory is the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (POBO), which governs corruption in the private and public sectors. The powers of arrest, search and seizure, and detention are also permitted by the Independent Commission Against Corruption Ordinance (ICAC). The ICAC also ensures there is no corrupt and illegal conduct in various public elections, including the Chief Executive poll.

Corruption score: 77

The UK dropped out of the top 10 after losing two points last year, and the fall from grace continued as it has fallen another three this year. Despite improvements to corruption after the Bribery Act of 2012, there have been a couple of problems. The suspension of Ulster MP Ian Paisley after he failed to declare luxury holidays funded by foreign governments and the UK's links to Azerbaijan have seen the country's position falter. Brexit and new trade deals also continue to pose a heightened risk of corruption.

Corruption score: 77.

Canada has fallen out of the top ten this year and has lost a total of seven points since 2012. Prime minister Justin Trudeau hasn't helped the country's score, with him having faced his first major corruption scandal in 2019. There is strong anti-corruption legislation in place however, and the Criminal Code of Canada prohibits extortion, abuse of office, bribery and influence peddling. Similarly, facilitation payments and gift-giving are criminalised by the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act. Canadian courts’ jurisdiction allows the prosecution of companies and individuals who commit corruption abroad.

Corruption score: 77.

Austria has gained a point on its 2018 score. The country's robust Penal Code, which is zealously enforced, criminalises extortion, fraud, attempted corruption, embezzlement, bribery of foreign officials and politicians, and money laundering. Austrian politicians have been in the limelight for misbehaving over the last year however. Chancellor Sebastian Kurz had to call a snap election in 2019 after vice-chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache's alleged collusion with a Russian investor in the run-up his appointment in 2017 was revealed.

Corruption score: 77.

Australia has maintained its score of 77 since last year, which suggests that the government's recent efforts to crack down on bribery and embezzlement might be starting to have an impact after five years of its corruption score falling. Endemic corruption is still very low in Australia, and corrupt individuals are punished with this full force of the law, receiving up to 10 years in prison and hefty fines for their crimes.

Corruption score: 78.

Iceland has redeemed itself after last year's drop by gaining two points to reach 78, and it has started to climb back up the rankings to sit just outside of the top 10. The climb is somewhat surprising given Iceland's recent involvement in the Fishrot Files investigation, which revealed that one of the country's largest fishing conglomerates may have bribed Namibian officials. The General Penal Code criminalises abuse of office, fraud, trading in influence and giving and receiving a bribe, and the authorities don't hold back when it comes to prosecuting and locking up wrongdoers.

Corruption score: 80.

Luxembourg has hung onto its place in joint 9th and although it's seen another point drop since last year, it still has a very strong corruption score, which has been in the 80s for the past seven years. The compact European nation, which boasts a culture of openness, has a particularly strong legal framework to curb corruption, and anti-corruption laws are effectively enforced. Yet it is not without scandal; an investigation called LuxLeaks exposed corruption in the tax system and "sweetheart deals" to multinational companies in 2015.

Corruption score: 80.

Germany has maintained its impressive score of 80 this year. The German Criminal Code applies to individuals, and makes it illegal to pay, offer or accept a bribe. Companies are held civilly liable under the Administrative Offences Act, with fines of millions of euros and all ‘economic advantages’ obtained through bribery confiscated.

Given its score, it is unsurprising that Germany is also one of the best countries to retire to in 2020

Corruption score: 82.

The Netherlands keeps its virtuous 82 points this year. The Dutch Penal Code ensures that public administration is transparent, as it makes it illegal for anyone to give or receive bribes in the private or public sector, including a foreign public official. Dutch and foreign companies and their subsidiaries can be held liable for corruption offences committed by individuals working on their behalf and can be ordered to pay up to 10% of their turnover.

The Dutch are also particularly charitable when it comes to donating to good causes and it was listed as one of the world's most generous countries

Corruption score: 84.

Having fallen four places in the rankings last year, this year Norway has managed to hold onto its score of 84. Norway has a hard line on corruption and the Norwegian Penal Code criminalises breach of trust, active and passive bribery, money laundering, trading in influence, and fraud. This applies to anyone registered in Norway and offenders could see up to 10 years’ imprisonment, even if the act is committed abroad. Norway also has the best press freedom in the world, according to the 2019 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders.

Corruption score: 85.

Switzerland is consistent with 85 points for the second year in a row. Two acts safeguard the integrity of Switzerland. The Criminal Code penalises active and passive bribery, along with the bribery of foreign public officials, while the Unfair Competition Act governs bribery in the private sector. The country has not escaped scandal entirely though, with Geneva-based Addax Petroleum paying $32 million (£24.9m) to settle an investigation into suspicious payments to a Nigerian company in 2017.

Corruption score: 85.

Sweden has stuck with its impressive score of 85. Although the country is renowned for transparency and a lack of corruption, several recent high-profile lawsuits have tarnished its image somewhat. In 2019 for example, Swedish telecoms firm Ericsson agreed to pay over $1 billion (£777m) in penalties following a US corruption case spanning nearly two decades.

Corruption score: 85.

Maintaining the same number of points this year, Singapore is now the world's joint 4th least corrupt nation. Anti-corruption legislation laws include the Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA), which prohibits gifts and facilitation payments in the public and private sector, and active and passive bribery. The country has not completed avoided corruption however, such as the Singapore-based billionaire found to have been involved in bribing politicians in the Maldives.

Corruption score: 86.

Finland goes from being joint 3rd in the ranking last year to having the spot all to itself thanks to its one point gain. There is almost no corruption in the public sector, thanks to a culture of openness, a strong system of internal and external controls and the involvement of civil society in public affairs management. Isolated incidences of corruption do occur, but they are very few and far between.

 

Corruption score: 87.

New Zealand edges up from 2nd place to be the joint least corrupt country of 2019, although it still hasn't made it back up to its winning score of 89 from 2018. The nation's Crimes Act and the Secret Commissions Act ensure active and passive bribery in the private and public sector is prohibited. Financial penalties are heavy and wrongdoers face up to 14 years behind bars. Similarly, public officials are unable to ask for or accept gifts through the State Services Commission Code of Conduct.

 

Corruption score: 87.

Denmark has lost a point since last year which means that it now shares the top spot of the least corrupt countries ranking. Despite holding onto first place, the Scandinavian country doesn't have a squeaky clean record, with its main bank, Danske Bank, having been involved in a huge money laundering scandal through its Estonian branch. Generally speaking however, corruption is extremely rare in the country. The Danish Criminal Code forbids active and passive bribery and most other corruption offences contained in international anti-corruption conventions.

In stark contrast to the world's least corrupt countries, the nations with the highest levels of dishonest dealings appear to be doing very little to tackle the problems, and some are actually perceived to be getting worse. Here are the 20 most corrupt countries on the planet.

Corruption score: 22.

Last year Nicaragua had a score of 25 but it slid into the 20 most corrupt countries after losing three points in 2019, which is a huge drop of seven points since 2012. Political, social and business groups have little to no influence on political decisions in Nicaragua. Parties and civil society who are not in power are excluded from the processes that go into making policy, while groups that are critical of the government move in increasingly restrictive spheres.

Corruption score: 20.

The joint 17th most corrupt country again this year, Cambodia has rigorous anti-corruption legislation in place, but the law is rarely enforced, and public officials act with impunity when it comes to accepting bribes. This makes doing business in the country a nightmare, as companies need to facilitate payments and gifts to get anything done.

Corruption score: 20.

Little has been done to deal with corruption in Chad over the past year, but the African country has seen its score rise from 19 back up to 20, where it was in 2017. Nepotism and cronyism are especially rife in the country, extortion and petty corruption pervade the police force, and bribery is ubiquitous in all areas of public life. At the end of 2019, the US criticised Chad, amongst other West African countries in the Sahel region, for not doing more to combat Islamist violence.

 

Corruption score: 20.

Iraq has gained two points since 2018 and has moved from joint 12th to joint 17th place, however it's still a long way from being a safe, transparent nation. Maintaining a strong and stable government remains the country’s biggest challenge, with institutional reforms constantly delayed, as well as ongoing political infighting and corruption. The opening up of the nation's oil reserves was intended to benefit the economy, but the money from the lucrative industry has allegedly been taken by corrupt politicians. Iraq's recent involvement in the Iran-US crisis also suggests that the country's score could dip even lower next year.

Corruption score: 19.

Burundi's fluctuating score is reminiscent of its instability as it gains and loses points year on year. The east African nation has seen two years of political unrest and riots after President Pierre Nkurunziza voted in constitutional changes that could see him rule up until 2034, however he has now said he will not run in the May 2020 elections. In his preparations to leave office, the parliament has promised Nkurunziza a lifetime salary, housing, and a golden parachute, which many living in the impoverished country have criticised.

Corruption score: 19.

Having kept its low score of 19, Congo is as corrupt as ever and crooked activities pervade the public sector. The country's political elite have been the subject of multiple reports of corruption, from money laundering to embezzlement of public funds, none of which have been reprimanded by the authorities. President Denis Sassou Nguesso continues to keep an iron grip on power, and government institutions are all-too susceptible to his malign interference.

Corruption score: 19.

Turkmenistan has lost the point it gained in 2018 and has sunk from the joint 17th most corrupt country to joint 14th. Power in the landlocked central Asian nation is concentrated in the hands of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov who, along with his family, controls every aspect of public life with an iron fist. Turkmenistan also has the worst press freedom in the world according to Reporters Without Borders' Press Freedom Index, with very few citizens having access to the highly-censored version of the internet and rumours and heresay being the prevailing form of communciation.

Corruption score: 18.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo has lost two points since last year's ranking, despite having had its first peaceful transfer of power in the country's 60-year history with its appointment of Felix Tshisekedi as president in 2019. Corruption is a way of life in the republic, which has been mired in conflict for decades. Warlord Thomas Lubanga was sentenced to 14 years in jail for using child soldiers in his rebel army in 2002 and 2003, while M23 rebels have been a major fighting force in the eastern parts of the country, and there have been reports of military abuses of power.

Corruption score: 18.

It is unsurpsing that Haiti features in the top 10 most corrupt countries after protests against President Jovenel Moïse continue to call for his resignation and a journalist was found dead in their car in 2019. The nation is riddled with corruption, from drug trafficking to gang violence. Citizens had also taken to the streets in protest in November 2018 (pictured) after Haiti's Senate released a report accusing two former prime ministers and other officials of embezzlement and forgery relating to funds in an oil loan programme in Venezuela. One person was killed during the protests.

Corruption score: 18.

Libya has seen its score rise since 2016, but corruption is still endemic in the country. Under the rule of Colonel Gaddafi corruption was rife, and that has not changed since his fall in 2011. The nation's natural rich resources have even encouraged this. Libya has the largest crude oil reserves in Africa, and oil traders have manipulated the black market exchange rate to take money away from the country, siphoning it off into foreign bank accounts.

Corruption score: 18.

Guinea Bissau has seen its score increase by two points in 2019, but this small country is still riddled with crooked dealings and has become a major hub for cocaine smugglers from Latin America to Europe. Several senior military figures are alleged to be involved in the trafficking of narcotics, and corruption pervades all aspects of the public sphere. The fact that no president has finished a term since the first multi-party elections in 1994 hasn't helped.

Corruption score: 17.

North Korea's corruption score fluctuates most years, having gained five points between 2016 and 2017, losing three in 2018, and now settling back at 17 points. Corruption from the top down is a key feature of life in the Hermit Kingdom, where human rights are virtually non-existent. It has been reported that corruption has risen as officials will ask for bribes to ignore North Koreans who are using phones to call South Korea.

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Corruption score: 16.

Afghanistan maintains its score of 16 this year as it continues to deal with systemic corruption and the threat of Taliban violence. Family ties and tribal connections are especially strong in the country, making nepotism a massive issue. Bribery, graft and illegal land transfers are also endemic. Corruption also stretches to narcotics as Afghanistan is the world's top producer of opium for heroin, with efforts to combat this trade at a low.

Corruption score: 16.

Venezuela has lost two points this year. The country continues to battle a severe economic crisis that has led to increased poverty and higher crime rates, despite having the world's largest oil reserves. Bribery, theft of public money and nepotism are commonplace in government and the police force. President Nicolás Maduro has been somewhat ousted by Juan Guaidó, who declared Maduro as illegitimate and announced himself as leader in 2019. He has since lost the support of many Venezuelans as his appointment has yet to positively impact their day-to-day hardships.

Corruption score: 16.

Sudan has a score of 16 for the third year in a row. The conflict-ravaged country has a profound problem with bribery, cronyism and nepotism in particular, and entrepreneurs in Sudan have to know the right people or pay off officials to achieve anything. Protests broke out in December 2018, bringing the 30-year rule of president Omar Hassan al-Bashir to an end. He will now face the International Criminal Court following accusations of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide and has been replaced by Lieutenant-General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who has already been accused of similar offences.

Corruption score: 16.

Equatorial Guinea is the joint 5th most corrupt country and keeps its score of 16. While much of the population suffers extreme poverty, the president Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo and his family live like royalty. In October 2017, the president's son, Teodorín (pictured), was given a three-year suspended sentence by a French court for allegedly stealing millions of dollars in public money to fund his extravagant playboy lifestyle.

Corruption score: 15.

Yemen's score has increased by one point. The brutal civil war has plunged the country into an unprecedented humanitarian crisis and decimated the country's economy, which isn't helped by widespread nepotism that impedes any attempts at investment in the country. Deep-rooted corruption is hampering any meaningful attempts at recovery, and extortion and passive bribery are both legal and common practice.

Corruption score: 13.

Syria keeps its score of 13 while the war-torn nation remains a wholly corrupt country as it is led by president Bashar al-Assad, who has killed many of his people over the past few years. The president's family and supporters control almost everything in the chaotic country, and are involved in myriad dubious dealings, from stealing aid money to trading in illegal arms.

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Corruption score: 12.

A textbook kleptocracy, South Sudan's public officials have stolen untold amounts of public money and are only too willing to accept monetary payments and gifts. Anti-corruption legislation isn't enforced and wrongdoers are free to act in the knowledge they won't be prosecuted for their crimes. No wonder the country remains the second most corrupt on the planet.

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Corruption score: 9.

For the seventh year in a row Somalia is the world’s most corrupt nation, and the country is even down another point in the 2019 index. Torn apart by rival warlords in the early 1990s, the current government is weak and a climate of lawlessness prevails, with almost every aspect of life in the country sadly affected by rampant corruption. Several forms of corruption are illegal in the country, however implementation of the law is non-existent and Somalia is rife with embezzlement, abuse of office, and bribery.

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