Several research reports rank corrupt countries. Among the most well-known of these are Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), The U.S News countries index, and a report by Forbes. While not all use the same measures, most include the pervasiveness of bribery, sexual exploitation, and lack of legal enforcement of activities that contribute to corruption.
To determine the most corrupt country in the world, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data from Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index. Countries were ranked based on their corruption index score, a measure reflecting perceived levels of public sector corruption ranging from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean). Transparency International calculates index scores using data from 13 different surveys. Each country considered must have at least three sources assessing it. Data on population came from the World Bank and is for 2020.
Overall, the nations of the world have done little to improve the perception of their corruption in recent years. All across the globe, countries have cracked down on civil liberties and removed accountability measures designed to keep public sector corruption in check. Even in relatively open countries, accountability for major issues like COVID-19 responses has been limited.
In corrupt countries, it can be very difficult for average citizens to gain access to the financial resources they need to escape poverty. High levels of corruption have been shown to cut down on economic growth and restrict access to education, which can make it more difficult for lower-income individuals to lift themselves out of poverty. This has been shown to increase the gap between the rich and the poor.
The most corrupt country in the world is South Sudan. Here are the details:
> Corruption perceptions index: 11/100
> Total population: 11.19 million
> Region: Sub-Saharan Africa
Click here to read The Most Corrupt Countries in the World
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