Corruption Perceptions by Country in 2023

Julia Wendling
2024-07-09 11:42:57
www.visualcapitalist.com

Corruption Perceptions by Country in 2023

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How do corruption perceptions in Latin America compare to other countries?

In this graphic, Latinometrics uses data from Transparency International to provide visual context to corruption opinions across nations.

What is the Corruption Perceptions Index?

Every year, a German organization called Transparency International embarks on measuring corruption in each of the world’s countries. It does so through a metric they’ve branded as the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), which, as the name implies, measures how corrupt a given country is perceived by the people living there.

As with any such index, the methodology leaves room for criticism. Many will notice that according to this list, Cuba is Latin America’s fourth least corrupt country. The correct way of interpreting the index is that Cubans consider their country less corrupt than, say, Colombians consider their own country. It’s a subjective measure.

Corruption Perceptions in Latin America and the World

Latin American countries range from Venezuela, which, as of 2023, ranks second to worst worldwide, to Uruguay, which is tied with Japan and perceived as less corrupt than some of the most developed nations like the U.S. and France.

Country	Corruption Perceptions Index score
Germany	78
Canada	76
Australia	75
Uruguay	73
Japan	73
France	71
United Kingdom	71
United States	69
Chile	66
South Korea	63
Spain	60
Italy	56
Costa Rica	55
Saudi Arabia	52
Malaysia	50
China	42
Cuba	42
Vietnam	41
South Africa	41
Colombia	40
India	39
Ethiopia	37
Argentina	37
Brazil	36
Dominican Republic	35
Egypt	35
Panama	35
Indonesia	34
Ecuador	34
Peru	33
Mexico	31
El Salvador	31
Pakistan	29
Bolivia	29
Paraguay	28
Russia	26
Nigeria	25
Iran	24
Bangladesh	24
Honduras	23
Guatemala	23
Nicaragua	17
Venezuela	13

Source: Transparency International.

Unlike most countries in Latin America, which have experienced turmoil and drastic changes over the years, Uruguay’s corruption score has remained stable. This indicates healthy power transitions and is a testament to Uruguay’s trusted democratic and judicial systems.

Other Notable Trends

Turning back the clock on this index exposes improvements and descents into tragedy. On the improvements side, the Dominican Republic has made strides to regain its people’s trust, bettering its score by over 20 percentage points in the past decade.

In the early 2010s, the Dominican Republic was struggling with bribery allegations and a weak and unwilling-to-prosecute judicial system. Just last year, 20 former officials were arrested in the largest anti-corruption probe in the country’s history, which uncovered widespread embezzlement in government contracts.

Conversely, Venezuela and Nicaragua have both continued to undermine institutions and concentrate power in the hands of undemocratic leaders.

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