Pakistan’s position on the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) for 2024 has worsened, dropping two spots to 135th out of 180 countries, compared to 133rd in 2023. The report, released by Transparency International on Tuesday, ranks countries based on their perceived levels of public sector corruption, with a scale from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean). For Pakistan, its score has also decreased by two points, from 29 in CPI 2023 to 27 in CPI 2024.
The CPI has tracked Pakistan’s corruption perception for years, showing a fluctuating trend. Over the past decade, Pakistan’s score has ranged between 27 and 33, with 2018 marking the highest score of 33. Since then, the score has steadily declined, reaching its lowest point of 27 again last year. In 1996, when the CPI included just 54 countries, Pakistan was ranked near the bottom with a score of only 1 out of 10. Throughout the years, the country’s score has varied, reflecting the shifting political and economic challenges faced by its government.
Transparency International Pakistan (TIP) clarified that its role is not involved in the data collection or the calculation of Pakistan’s CPI score, which is determined by the Berlin-based Transparency International. Retired Justice Zia Perwez, chair of TIP, noted that Pakistan stands out in the region, as many neighboring countries, except for Oman, China, Turkey, and Mongolia, have seen declines in their CPI scores.
Globally, the 2024 CPI report shows alarming trends of corruption, with two-thirds of the countries scoring below 50 out of 100. In fact, nearly 6.8 billion people live in countries with corruption scores below 50, representing a significant portion of the global population. Despite these challenges, Denmark remains the highest-ranking country, with a score of 90, followed by Finland and Singapore. On the other end of the spectrum, conflict-ridden countries like South Sudan, Somalia, Venezuela, and Syria scored the lowest, highlighting the severe governance issues in fragile states.
The global corruption picture is not entirely bleak, however. The Middle East and North Africa region saw a slight improvement in its average score for the first time in over a decade, rising by one point to 39. Nevertheless, Transparency International’s report underscores that corruption continues to hinder the global fight against climate change. Corruption not only weakens democratic institutions but also disrupts climate finance and projects meant to mitigate climate impacts. This poses a significant risk to achieving global climate goals, as funds intended to reduce emissions and build resilience are often misused or stolen.
Francois Valerian, the chair of Transparency International, emphasized that corruption is a major obstacle to global stability and human rights, urging governments and international organizations to prioritize anti-corruption measures. The ongoing battle against corruption is critical for fostering sustainable development, combating authoritarianism, and ensuring a more equitable future for all nations.
