According to Transparency International’s latest report, Afghanistan has fallen to 162nd place, scoring 20 points in the 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index under Taliban rule. The country previously ranked 150th among 180 countries in 2022, with 24 points.
Afghanistan is now grouped with nations like Sudan, Myanmar, Tajikistan, Chad, Comoros, and Eritrea in terms of combating corruption. In 2021, it was ranked 174th with 16 points.
Comparatively, Iran’s rank dropped to 149th with a decrease in points from the previous year.
Denmark leads the index as the world’s cleanest country with 90 points, followed by Finland with 87 points and New Zealand with 85 points.
Somalia is labeled as the most corrupt country globally, scoring 11 points and dropping two places from last year.
The 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) evaluates 180 countries and territories based on their perceived levels of public sector corruption, using a scale from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean). The report highlights that over two-thirds of countries score below 50, indicating significant corruption issues. The global average remains at a low 43, with most countries showing no improvement or even decline over the past decade. Notably, 23 countries have reached their lowest scores to date this year.
The report emphasizes a global trend of weakening justice systems, which reduces accountability for public officials and fosters corruption. Both authoritarian and democratic regimes are implicated in undermining justice, leading to increased impunity for corrupt activities. This includes bribery and the abuse of power infiltrating courts and other justice institutions worldwide.
Countries with high CPI scores also face their challenges, often failing to prosecute transnational corruption cases. This includes instances of bribery by companies from these countries in foreign business dealings.
“Corruption will continue to thrive until justice systems can punish wrongdoing and keep governments in check,” said François Valérian, Chair of Transparency International. “Leaders should fully invest in and guarantee the independence of institutions that uphold the law and tackle corruption. It is time to end impunity for corruption.”
