Transparency International Reports Record Corruption Levels Worldwide

Transparency International's 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index reveals that global corruption remains a significant issue, with an average score of only 43 out of 100 across 180 countries. Notably, over two-thirds of these countries scored below 50, and the U.S. achieved a score of 65, the lowest since 2012. Denmark, Finland, and Singapore topped the index, while South Sudan was identified as the most corrupt nation with a score of just 8. The report highlights the stagnation in addressing corruption, emphasizing its detrimental effects on democracy and human rights worldwide. In contrast, Australia's score rose to 77, attributed to recent reforms targeting foreign bribery and money laundering, although concerns about 'dark money' in politics persist. The findings underscore the urgent need for global and local efforts to combat corruption effectively.