World’s Most & Least Corrupt Countries in 2024 – How Does India Rank?

Denmark has been ranked as the least corrupt country in the world, according to the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI)

For the second consecutive year, Denmark has been ranked as the least corrupt country in the world, according to the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) released by Transparency International. The Nordic nation secured the top position with a high integrity score, reflecting its strong governance, independent judiciary, and transparent public institutions.

Closely following Denmark are Finland, Singapore, and New Zealand, nations that consistently demonstrate high levels of accountability, ethical governance, and robust anti-corruption measures. These countries set global benchmarks for public trust and minimal political interference in judicial and administrative functions.

A Deepening Crisis: Corruption in Struggling Nations

At the bottom of the rankings, South Sudan continues to hold the unenviable title of the world's most corrupt country, scoring just 8 out of 100 on the CPI. War-torn nations like Somalia, Venezuela, Syria, and Yemen remain among the lowest-ranked, grappling with widespread corruption, weak legal systems, and political instability. These nations struggle with misappropriation of funds, lack of transparency, and weak governance, making reform efforts challenging.

(Image: Canva)

India’s Ranking Drops: Where Does It Stand?

India’s ranking fell from 93rd in 2023 to 96th in 2024, with a CPI score of 38 out of 100. While it remains South Asia’s best performer, the decline signals ongoing challenges, including:

• Lack of transparency in political funding
• Weak enforcement of anti-corruption laws
• Issues in public procurement and law enforcement

Despite efforts like digital governance reforms and stricter anti-corruption measures, problems such as bribery, corporate fraud, and bureaucratic inefficiencies continue to hinder progress.

(Image: Canva)

Corruption Rankings of the World's Largest Economies

Among the world's most powerful economies, the United States ranks 28th with a score of 65, while the UK stands at 20th with a score of 71. China, despite being a global economic powerhouse, ranks 76th with a score of 43, indicating persistent corruption concerns. Meanwhile, Russia, which remains embroiled in war, ranks 154th with a score of just 22, reflecting severe governance failures and corruption-driven instability.

10 Least Corrupt Countries in 2024

Countries with the highest CPI scores have strong institutions, transparency, and robust legal frameworks.

Rank 1. Denmark

Rank 2. Finland

Rank 3. Singapore

Rank 4. New Zealand

Rank 5. Luxembourg

Rank 6. Norway

Rank 7. Switzerland

Rank 8. Sweden

Rank 9. Netherlands

Rank 10. Australia, Iceland, Ireland (tie)

10 Most Corrupt Countries in 2024

Nations at the bottom of the index struggle with conflict, weak governance, and lack of accountability.

Rank 1. South Sudan

Rank 2. Somalia

Rank 3. Venezuela

Rank 4. Syria

Rank 5. Yemen, Libya, Eritrea, Equatorial Guinea (tie)

Rank 9. Nicaragua

Rank 10. Sudan, North Korea (tie)

Corruption’s Impact: A Growing Global Concern

The CPI 2024 report highlights how corruption continues to fuel economic inequality, political instability, and even hinder climate action. Many high-ranking countries, while relatively clean domestically, still harbor illicit funds and enable financial crime through weak regulatory systems.

As corruption weakens democratic institutions, fuels instability, and erodes public trust, the need for stronger governance, independent legal systems, and global accountability has never been greater. Transparency International urges governments worldwide to strengthen anti-corruption laws, increase transparency in political funding, and ensure judicial independence to combat this growing crisis.

While some nations continue to lead in integrity and transparency, others remain plagued by corruption and weak governance. With India’s ranking slipping further, tackling corruption at all levels of governance and business is crucial for economic growth and public trust. Strengthening anti-corruption measures, ensuring transparency, and holding institutions accountable will determine whether nations rise in future rankings—or fall further behind.