The Countries With the Most Corruption, Ranked

The United States Supreme Court’s recent decisions in Snyder vs. United States and Trump vs. U.S. have caused concern for many over the long-term implications of prosecuting government officials. Experts warn these two decisions could make it harder to pursue public corruption charges because of immunity granted for “official acts” and narrowing the scope of what is considered illegal gratuity. Conservative Justice Amy Coney Barrett even provided dissent against part of the ruling on Trump’s case, citing that “excluding from trial any mention of the official act connected to the bribe would hamstring the prosecution.”

These decisions have only succeeded in increasing tensions between the Court and Democratic members of Congress, who feel they are out of control based on their recent decisions. “One thing this decision does is it further hollows out protections against high-level government corruption, and that is deeply troubling given the norms that have collapsed around self-dealing at the highest levels in recent years,” Dan Weiner, the director of elections and government at the Brennan Center for Justice, said. Democratic members have been demanding for months now that the Chief Justice implement a code of ethics for the court, but they have been met with deaf ears. Accusations continue to fly regarding the justices’ level of corruption marring their ability to make impartial rulings on these matters.

According to Transparency International, there has been a global decline in justice and the rule of law since 2016, and both factors are essential for preventing corruption at both the national and international levels. Per their Corruption Perception Index, only 28 of the 180 countries measured have improved their corruption levels over the last 12 years, while 34 countries have significantly worsened. More than two-thirds of countries score below 50 out of 100, indicative of serious corruption problems, and the global average is only 43.

Among Transparency International’s 45 countries at the bottom of its 2023 index, 22 are in the sub-Saharan region of Africa. Eight are in the Asia Pacific region, seven in the Americas, six in the Middle East & North Africa, and six are in Eastern Europe & Central Asia. No country on this list is from Western Europe & the EU. And while the Americas encompass North America, no country on this list is from North America. The U.S. ranks as the 24th least corrupt.

Why Are We Talking About Corruption?

Corruption weakens democracies and increases inequality, social division, poverty, and the environmental crisis. If we can better understand corruption and what “makes it tick,” we are better able to expose it when we see it and hold those responsible accountable. Corruption happens anywhere and with anyone. Transparency in public offices is how we are able to ensure it doesn’t happen.

Let’s discover the 48 most corrupt countries.

48. Papua New Guinea

Region: Asia Pacific
Corruption Perception Index, 2023: 29 out of 100 (tied)
Decade change in corruption: 4 points improvement
GDP per capita2022: $3,116 (#120 highest out of 175 countries)
Life expectancy, 2021: 65.4 years (#136 highest out of 180 countries)
Total population, 2022: 10,142,619

47. Bolivia

Region: Americas
Corruption Perception Index, 2023: 29 out of 100 (tied)
Decade change in corruption: 5 points decline
GDP per capita2022: $3,600 (#113 highest out of 175 countries)
Life expectancy, 2021: 63.6 years (#143 highest out of 180 countries)
Total population, 2022: 12,224,110

46. Pakistan

Region: Asia Pacific
Corruption Perception Index, 2023: 29 out of 100 (tied)
Decade change in corruption: 1-point improvement
GDP per capita2022: $1,589 (#142 highest out of 175 countries)
Life expectancy, 2021: 66.1 years (#131 highest out of 180 countries)
Total population, 2022: 235,824,862

45. Gabon

Region: sub-Saharan Africa
Corruption Perception Index, 2023: 28 out of 100 (tied)
Decade change in corruption: 6 points decline
GDP per capita, 2022: $8,820 (#73 highest out of 175 countries)
Life expectancy, 2021: 66 years (#133 highest out of 180 countries)
Total population, 2022: 2,388,992

44. Paraguay

Region: Americas
Corruption Perception Index, 2023: 28 out of 100 (tied)
Decade change in corruption: 4 points improvement
GDP per capita, 2022: $6,153 (#91 highest out of 175 countries)
Life expectancy, 2021: 70 years (#107 highest out of 180 countries)
Total population, 2022: 6,780,744

43. Laos

Region: Asia Pacific
Corruption Perception Index, 2023: 28 out of 100 (tied)
Decade change in corruption: 2 points improvement
GDP per capita, 2022: $2,054 (#136 highest out of 175 countries)
Life expectancy, 2021: 68 years (#122 highest out of 180 countries)
Total population, 2022: 7,529,475

42. Mali

Region: sub-Saharan Africa
Corruption Perception Index, 2023: 28 out of 100 (tied)
Decade change in corruption: 0 points improvement
GDP per capita, 2022: $833 (#158 highest out of 175 countries)
Life expectancy, 2021: 59 years (#171 highest out of 180 countries)
Total population, 2022: 22,593,590

41. Cameroon

Region: sub-Saharan Africa
Corruption Perception Index, 2023: 27 out of 100
Decade change in corruption: 2 points improvement
GDP per capita, 2022: $1,563 (#143 highest out of 175 countries)
Life expectancy, 2021: 60 years (#162 highest out of 180 countries)
Total population, 2022: 27,914,536

40. Kyrgyzstan

Region: Eastern Europe & Central Asia
Corruption Perception Index, 2023: 26 out of 100 (tied)
Decade change in corruption: 2 points improvement
GDP per capita, 2022: $1,655 (#140 highest out of 175 countries)
Life expectancy, 2021: 72 years (#91 highest out of 180 countries)
Total population, 2022: 6,974,900

39. Guinea

Region: sub-Saharan Africa
Corruption Perception Index, 2023: 26 out of 100 (tied)
Decade change in corruption: 2 points improvement
GDP per capita, 2022: $1,515 (#144 highest out of 175 countries)
Life expectancy, 2021: 59 years (#172 highest out of 180 countries)
Total population, 2022: 13,859,341

38. Uganda

Region: sub-Saharan Africa
Corruption Perception Index, 2023: 26 out of 100 (tied)
Decade change in corruption: 0 points improvement
GDP per capita, 2022: $964 (#156 highest out of 175 countries)
Life expectancy, 2021: 63 years (#148 highest out of 180 countries)
Total population, 2022: 47,249,585

37. Russia

Region: Eastern Europe & Central Asia
Corruption Perception Index, 2023: 26 out of 100 (tied)
Decade change in corruption: 2 points decline
GDP per capita, 2022: $15,271 (#54 highest out of 175 countries)
Life expectancy, 2021: 69 years (#116 highest out of 180 countries)
Total population, 2022: 144,236,933

36. Liberia

Region: sub-Saharan Africa
Corruption Perception Index, 2023: 25 out of 100 (tied)
Decade change in corruption: 13 points decline
GDP per capita, 2022: $755 (#162 highest out of 175 countries)
Life expectancy, 2021: 61 years (#160 highest out of 180 countries)
Total population, 2022: 5,302,681

35. Madagascar

Region: sub-Saharan Africa
Corruption Perception Index, 2023: 25 out of 100 (tied)
Decade change in corruption: 3 points decline
GDP per capita, 2022: $517 (#170 highest out of 175 countries)
Life expectancy, 2021: 64 years (#139 highest out of 180 countries)
Total population, 2022: 29,611,714

34. Mozambique

Region: sub-Saharan Africa
Corruption Perception Index, 2023: 25 out of 100 (tied)
Decade change in corruption: 5 points decline
GDP per capita, 2022: $558 (#169 highest out of 175 countries)
Life expectancy, 2021: 59 years (#166 highest out of 180 countries)
Total population, 2022: 32,969,518

33. Nigeria

Region: sub-Saharan Africa
Corruption Perception Index, 2023: 25 out of 100 (tied)
Decade change in corruption: 0 points improvement
GDP per capita, 2022: $2,163 (#133 highest out of 175 countries)
Life expectancy, 2021: 53 years (#179 highest out of 180 countries)
Total population, 2022: 218,541,212

32. Lebanon

Region: Middle East & North Africa
Corruption Perception Index, 2023: 24 out of 100 (tied)
Decade change in corruption: 4 points decline
GDP per capita, 2021: $4,136 (#109 highest out of 175 countries)
Life expectancy, 2021: 75 years (#56 highest out of 180 countries)
Total population, 2022: 5,489,739

31. Central African Republic

Region: sub-Saharan Africa
Corruption Perception Index, 2023: 24 out of 100 (tied)
Decade change in corruption: 1 points decline
GDP per capita, 2022: $427 (#172 highest out of 175 countries)
Life expectancy, 2021: 54 years (#177 highest out of 180 countries)
Total population, 2022: 5,579,144

30. Zimbabwe

Region: sub-Saharan Africa
Corruption Perception Index, 2023: 24 out of 100 (tied)
Decade change in corruption: 3 points improvement
GDP per capita, 2022: $1,677 (#139 highest out of 175 countries)
Life expectancy, 2021: 59 years (#169 highest out of 180 countries)
Total population, 2022: 16,320,537

29. Iran

Region: Middle East & North Africa
Corruption Perception Index, 2023: 24 out of 100 (tied)
Decade change in corruption: 1 points decline
GDP per capita, 2022: $4,670 (#103 highest out of 175 countries)
Life expectancy, 2021: 74 years (#66 highest out of 180 countries)
Total population, 2022: 88,550,570

28. Bangladesh

Region: Asia Pacific
Corruption Perception Index, 2023: 24 out of 100 (tied)
Decade change in corruption: 3 points decline
GDP per capita, 2022: $2,688 (#123 highest out of 175 countries)
Life expectancy, 2021: 72 years (#85 highest out of 180 countries)
Total population, 2022: 171,186,372

27. Azerbaijan

Region: Eastern Europe & Central Asia
Corruption Perception Index, 2023: 23 out of 100 (tied)
Decade change in corruption: 5 points decline
GDP per capita, 2022: $7,762 (#77 highest out of 175 countries)
Life expectancy, 2021: 69 years (#115 highest out of 180 countries)
Total population, 2022: 10,141,756

26. Honduras

Region: Americas
Corruption Perception Index, 2023: 23 out of 100 (tied)
Decade change in corruption: 3 points decline
GDP per capita, 2022: $3,040 (#121 highest out of 175 countries)
Life expectancy, 2021: 70 years (#111 highest out of 180 countries)
Total population, 2022: 10,432,860

25. Guatemala

Region: Americas
Corruption Perception Index, 2023: 23 out of 100 (tied)
Decade change in corruption: 6 points decline
GDP per capita, 2022: $5,473 (#96 highest out of 175 countries)
Life expectancy, 2021: 69 years (#119 highest out of 180 countries)
Total population, 2022: 17,357,886

24. Iraq

Region: Middle East & North Africa
Corruption Perception Index, 2023: 23 out of 100 (tied)
Decade change in corruption: 7 points improvement
GDP per capita, 2022: $5,937 (#93 highest out of 175 countries)
Life expectancy, 2021: 70 years (#104 highest out of 180 countries)
Total population, 2022: 44,496,122

23. Guinea-Bissau

Region: sub-Saharan Africa
Corruption Perception Index, 2023: 22 out of 100 (tied)
Decade change in corruption: 3 points improvement
GDP per capita, 2022: $776 (#161 highest out of 175 countries)
Life expectancy, 2021: 60 years (#165 highest out of 180 countries)
Total population, 2022: 2,105,566

22. Congo

Region: sub-Saharan Africa
Corruption Perception Index, 2023: 22 out of 100 (tied)
Decade change in corruption: 0 points improvement
GDP per capita, 2022: $2,649 (#124 highest out of 175 countries)
Life expectancy, 2021: 64 years (#144 highest out of 180 countries)
Total population, 2022: 5,970,424

21. Cambodia

Region: Asia Pacific
Corruption Perception Index, 2023: 22 out of 100 (tied)
Decade change in corruption: 2 points improvement
GDP per capita, 2022: $1,760 (#137 highest out of 175 countries)
Life expectancy, 2021: 70 years (#114 highest out of 180 countries)
Total population, 2022: 16,767,842

20. Eritrea

Region: sub-Saharan Africa
Corruption Perception Index, 2023: 21 out of 100
Decade change in corruption: 1-point improvement
GDP per capita: N/A
Life expectancy, 2021: 67 years (#129 highest out of 180 countries)
Total population, 2022: 3,684,032

19. Comoros

Region: sub-Saharan Africa
Corruption Perception Index, 2023: 20 out of 100 (tied)
Decade change in corruption: 8 points decline
GDP per capita, 2022: $1,485 (#145 highest out of 175 countries)
Life expectancy, 2021: 63 years (#145 highest out of 180 countries)
Total population, 2022: 836,774

18. Tajikistan

Region: Eastern Europe & Central Asia
Corruption Perception Index, 2023: 20 out of 100 (tied)
Decade change in corruption: 2 points decline
GDP per capita, 2022: $1,054 (#152 highest out of 175 countries)
Life expectancy, 2021: 72 years (#95 highest out of 180 countries)
Total population, 2022: 9,952,787

17. Burundi

Region: sub-Saharan Africa
Corruption Perception Index, 2023: 20 out of 100 (tied)
Decade change in corruption: 1 points decline
GDP per capita, 2022: $259 (#175 highest out of 175 countries)
Life expectancy, 2021: 62 years (#153 highest out of 180 countries)
Total population, 2022: 12,889,576

16. Chad

Region: sub-Saharan Africa
Corruption Perception Index, 2023: 20 out of 100 (tied)
Decade change in corruption: 1-point improvement
GDP per capita, 2022: $717 (#163 highest out of 175 countries)
Life expectancy, 2021: 53 years (#180 highest out of 180 countries)
Total population, 2022: 17,723,315

15. Afghanistan

Region: Asia Pacific
Corruption Perception Index, 2023: 20 out of 100 (tied)
Decade change in corruption: 12 points improvement
GDP per capita, 2021: $356 (#174 highest out of 175 countries)
Life expectancy, 2021: 62 years (#152 highest out of 180 countries)
Total population, 2022: 41,128,771

14. Sudan

Region: sub-Saharan Africa
Corruption Perception Index, 2023: 20 out of 100 (tied)
Decade change in corruption: 9 points improvement
GDP per capita, 2022: $1,102 (#151 highest out of 175 countries)
Life expectancy, 2021: 65 years (#137 highest out of 180 countries)
Total population, 2022: 46,874,204

13. Myanmar

Region: Asia Pacific
Corruption Perception Index, 2023: 20 out of 100 (tied)
Decade change in corruption: 1 points decline
GDP per capita, 2022: $1,149 (#150 highest out of 175 countries)
Life expectancy, 2021: 66 years (#135 highest out of 180 countries)
Total population, 2022: 54,179,306

12. Democratic Republic of the Congo

Region: sub-Saharan Africa
Corruption Perception Index, 2023: 20 out of 100 (tied)
Decade change in corruption: 2 points decline
GDP per capita, 2022: $654 (#164 highest out of 175 countries)
Life expectancy, 2021: 59 years (#170 highest out of 180 countries)
Total population, 2022: 99,010,212

11. Turkmenistan

Region: Eastern Europe & Central Asia
Corruption Perception Index, 2023: 18 out of 100 (tied)
Decade change in corruption: 1-point improvement
GDP per capita, 2022: $8,793 (#74 highest out of 175 countries)
Life expectancy, 2021: 69 years (#118 highest out of 180 countries)
Total population, 2022: 6,430,770

10. Libya

Region: Middle East & North Africa
Corruption Perception Index, 2023: 18 out of 100 (tied)
Decade change in corruption: 3 points improvement
GDP per capita, 2022: $6,716 (#86 highest out of 175 countries)
Life expectancy, 2021: 72 years (#90 highest out of 180 countries)
Total population, 2022: 6,812,341

9. Equatorial Guinea

Region: sub-Saharan Africa
Corruption Perception Index, 2023: 17 out of 100 (tied)
Decade change in corruption: 2 points decline
GDP per capita, 2022: $7,182 (#80 highest out of 175 countries)
Life expectancy, 2021: 61 years (#161 highest out of 180 countries)
Total population, 2022: 1,674,908

8. Nicaragua

Region: Americas
Corruption perception index, 2023: 17 out of 100 (tied)
Decade change in corruption: 11 points decline
GDP per capita, 2022: $2,255 (#129 highest out of 175 countries)
Life expectancy, 2021: 74 years (#67 highest out of 180 countries)
Total population, 2022: 6,948,392

7. Haiti

Region: Americas
Corruption Perception Index, 2023: 17 out of 100 (tied)
Decade change in corruption: 2 points decline
GDP per capita, 2022: $1,748 (#138 highest out of 175 countries)
Life expectancy, 2021: 63 years (#146 highest out of 180 countries)
Total population, 2022: 11,584,996

6. North Korea

Region: Asia Pacific
Corruption Perception Index, 2023: 17 out of 100 (tied)
Decade change in corruption: 9 points improvement
GDP per capita: N/A
Life expectancy, 2021: 73 years (#75 highest out of 180 countries)
Total population, 2022: 26,069,416

5. Yemen

Region: Middle East & North Africa
Corruption Perception Index, 2023: 16 out of 100
Decade change in corruption: 2 points decline
GDP per capita, 2022: $650 (#165 highest out of 175 countries)
Life expectancy, 2021: 64 years (#142 highest out of 180 countries)
Total population, 2022: 33,696,614

4. South Sudan

Region: sub-Saharan Africa
Corruption Perception Index, 2023: 13 out of 100 (tied)
Decade change in corruption: 1 points decline
GDP per capita: N/A
Life expectancy, 2021: 55 years (#176 highest out of 180 countries)
Total population, 2022: 10,913,164

3. Syria

Region: Middle East & North Africa
Corruption Perception Index, 2023: 13 out of 100 (tied)
Decade change in corruption: 4 points decline
GDP per capita, 2021: $421 (#173 highest out of 175 countries)
Life expectancy, 2021: 72 years (#88 highest out of 180 countries)
Total population, 2022: 22,125,249

2. Venezuela

Region: Americas
Corruption Perception Index, 2023: 13 out of 100 (tied)
Decade change in corruption: 7 points decline
GDP per capita: N/A
Life expectancy, 2021: 71 years (#101 highest out of 180 countries)
Total population, 2022: 28,301,696

1. Somalia

Region: sub-Saharan Africa
Corruption Perception Index, 2023: 11 out of 100
Decade change in corruption: 3 points improvement
GDP per capita, 2022: $592 (#167 highest out of 175 countries)
Life expectancy, 2021: 55 years (#175 highest out of 180 countries)
Total population, 2022: 17,597,511

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