Russia ranks lowest ever in Corruption Perceptions Index

In the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index released by Transparency International, Russia ranked 154th out of 180 countries, marking its lowest score in history at 22 points, attributed to the entrenchment of authoritarianism following its invasion of Ukraine. The index revealed that 47 countries recorded their worst scores since the methodology was updated in 2012, highlighting a global trend of stagnating or worsening corruption levels. The average score across all countries remained at 43, with over two-thirds scoring below 50, and the U.S. fell from 24th to 28th place with a score of 65. Denmark retained its position as the least corrupt nation with a score of 90, while South Sudan came in last at just eight points. Notably, Ukraine improved its judicial independence and corruption prosecutions despite the ongoing conflict, though it experienced a slight drop in its score. The report emphasized the global risks posed by corruption, particularly regarding climate change funding and policy implementation.