2010 Corruption Perceptions Index

Yesterday, the nonprofit organization, Transparency International (TI), released its annual Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) for 2010.  The CPI is a measure of domestic, public sector corruption defined by TI as "the abuse of entrusted power for private gain."  According to a TI press release, the "2010 CPI show that nearly three quarters of the 178 countries in the index score below five, on a scale of from 0 (perceived to be highly corrupt) to 10 (perceived to have low levels of corruption), indicating a serious corruption problem."  Somalia was rated as the most corrupt country with Afghanistan and Myanmar tying for second-to-last place.  On a more positive note, three countries, Denmark, New Zealand and Singapore, tied for the top spot as the least corrupt countries.  The United States fell from 19 (2009) to 22 (2010) in the CPI. 

The CPI is created using different assessments and business opinion surveys carried out by independent institutions.  Broadly speaking, the questions asked in these assessments and surveys relate to bribery of public officials, kickbacks in government procurement, embezzlement of public funds, and questions regarding the strength and effectiveness of public sector anti-corruption efforts.

TI recommends greater government commitment to anti-corruption, transparency and accountability.  As part of that effort, TI advocates stricter implementation of the UN Convention Against Corruption.  That Convention entered into force in 2005 and already has 148 States Parties.  For more information about the UN Convention Against Corruption, click here.

(cgb)