Pakistan’s ranking on the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) for 2024 has slipped by two spots, falling from 133rd place in 2023 to 135th place out of 180 countries. This report, released by Transparency International on Tuesday, sheds light on the ongoing challenges of corruption in the country. It also highlights global corruption trends that are becoming harder to combat.
What is the Corruption Perception Index?
The Corruption Perception Index (CPI) is an annual report published by Transparency International. It ranks countries based on the perceived levels of public sector corruption, with a scale of 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean). The CPI evaluates countries by gathering expert opinions and surveys about corruption.
CPI Scale Explanation
| Score Range | Corruption Level |
|---|---|
| 0-20 | Highly Corrupt |
| 21-50 | Corruption Problems |
| 51-80 | Moderate Corruption |
| 81-100 | Very Clean (Low Corruption) |
Pakistan Declining Score
Pakistan’s score in the CPI dropped by two points, from 29 in 2023 to 27 in 2024. This reflects the persistent corruption challenges the country is facing, despite various efforts to combat these issues.
The decline places Pakistan among other countries in the region where corruption is worsening. Countries such as China, Turkiye, Oman, and Mongolia are the exceptions, showing some improvement, but Pakistan has yet to show significant progress.
Pakistan CPI Scores Over the Years
| Year | Ranking | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 133 | 29 |
| 2024 | 135 | 27 |
Global Corruption Trends
Globally, corruption levels remain alarmingly high. More than two-thirds of the countries in the CPI report scored below 50, indicating widespread corruption. This suggests that the fight against corruption is struggling worldwide.
Countries with the Highest and Lowest CPI Scores
| Top Scoring Countries | Score | Bottom Scoring Countries | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denmark | 90 | South Sudan | 8 |
| Finland | 88 | Somalia | 9 |
| Singapore | 84 | Venezuela | 10 |
Denmark remains at the top of the index with a score of 90, followed by Finland (88) and Singapore (84). On the other hand, countries suffering from internal conflicts and weak governance, such as South Sudan and Somalia, continue to score poorly.
Regional and Global Comparisons
In comparison, Western Europe and the European Union continue to be the top scoring regions. However, there was a slight decline in scores for this region for the second consecutive year. The report points out that in some countries, business interests are often prioritized over the common good, and the enforcement of laws remains weak.
Meanwhile, the Asia Pacific region shows a mixed picture, with some countries improving, while the overall score continues to decline due to issues like corruption and the impacts of climate change.
Regional Overview
| Region | Trend | Average CPI Score |
|---|---|---|
| Western Europe | Declining | High (Above 70) |
| Middle East/North Africa | Slight Improvement | 39 |
| Asia Pacific | Declining | Moderate (50-60) |
Corruption Impact on Climate Action
One of the significant findings of the CPI 2024 report is the link between corruption and climate change. Corruption is impeding efforts to tackle global warming, as climate finance intended to reduce emissions and build resilience is often misused or stolen.
The report highlights how corruption in countries with vulnerable populations and high exposure to climate risks is making it harder to implement climate projects. Corrupt practices divert resources that could help mitigate the effects of climate change and reduce the risks associated with natural disasters.
Countries Vulnerable to Climate Change & Corruption
| Country | CPI Score | Vulnerability to Climate Change |
|---|---|---|
| South Sudan | 8 | Extremely vulnerable |
| Somalia | 9 | Very vulnerable |
| Venezuela | 10 | Highly vulnerable |
Global Action Against Corruption
The CPI 2024 emphasizes the urgent need for global action against corruption. Francois Valerian, the Chair of Transparency International, stated that corruption is a critical barrier to development, democracy, and human rights. He urged the international community to make tackling corruption a top priority, as it contributes to authoritarianism and instability.
Key Quotes on Corruption
| Speaker | Quote |
|---|---|
| Francois Valerian | “Corruption is a key cause of declining democracy and instability.” |
| Maíra Martini (CEO TIP) | “Corruption dismantles checks and balances, undermining sustainability.” |
The Path Forward
The decline in Pakistan’s CPI ranking underscores the chronic challenges the country faces regarding governance and corruption. As the global fight against corruption intensifies, countries like Pakistan must take urgent steps to improve transparency, accountability, and institutional integrity.
Addressing corruption is not only essential for sustainable economic growth but also for ensuring that climate action and other global development goals can be achieved without being hindered by corrupt practices.
For Pakistan, this means strengthening anti-corruption measures, improving law enforcement, and ensuring that public funds, especially for climate resilience, are used efficiently and transparently. Only through such reforms can the country move towards a brighter, more sustainable future for all.
