The European Union and Western Europe again outperformed

other areas in Transparency International's corruption perceptions index, with

lower perceived levels of public sector corruption compared to other regions

around the globe.

TI's Corruption Perceptions Index 2013 ranks 177 countries and regions around the world,

based on experts' analysis of corruption in the public sector. Countries are

ranked on a scale of 1 to 100, with 1 being perceived as highly corrupt and 100

being “very clean.” Factors examined include access to information systems,

rules of conduct for public officials, and accountability and efficacy of

public institutions.

The EU and Western Europe had an average score of 66, which

was better than other regional groupings. The global average for the index this

year was 43. Only 23 percent of the EU/Western Europe grouping scored below 50

points on the index. Denmark tied New Zealand for first place, with scores of

91.

Huguette Labelle, chair of Transparency International, said

the index shows corruption remains an issue for all governments at all levels,

from issuing of local permits to enforcement of laws. More than two-thirds of

the countries analyzed scored 50 or below on the index. But even the higher

scoring locales like many EU member states need to be mindful of the risks of

corruption, Labelle said.

“The top performers clearly reveal how transparency supports

accountability and can stop corruption,” Labelle said in a statement. “Still,

the better performers face issues like state capture, campaign finance, and the

oversight of big public contracts, which remain major corruption risks.”

The watchdog group pointed out that while a host of new laws

were passed over the past year to seemingly boost transparency, those laws are

not meaningful unless backed by action. TI pointed to the case of Estonia, which

raised its score from 64 in 2012 to 68 this year, mainly through its new

anti-corruption efforts like opening certain government databases to the public.

On the other hand, Spain, which also passed a new

transparency law this year, saw its score drop by 6 points to 59, as graft scandals

continue to plague public officials and the royal family there. Other countries

with major declines from last year include Slovenia, which saw its score fall

from 61 in 2012 to 57 this year. Iceland also saw a drop in its score, from 82

to 78, but was still ranked high on the index for having a clean perception.

While Greece scored the worst out of the EU/Western Europe

grouping, with a score of just 40, its score was actually an improvement from

last year, when the 2012 index gave it a score of 36. TI officials credit the

improvement to high-profile corruption trials of former officials and a new

anti-corruption strategy.

In addition to scores from 1 to 100, the Corruption

Perceptions Index also ranks the 177 countries and regions. The EU/Western

Europe group was well represented in the top tiers, taking 13 of the 25 top

spots. Finland and Sweden tied for 3rd, with Norway and Switzerland ranked 5th

and 7th. Germany tied Iceland for 12th place, while the United Kingdom came in

at 14th. Ireland was ranked 21st, followed by France at

22nd.

Eastern Europe, grouped with Central Asia in the index, did

not fare nearly so well, with 95 percent of the group scoring below 50. Turkey

scored just 50 while Russia scored 28. Ukraine had a score of 25, and was

ranked 144th out of the 177 countries and territories analyzed.

Transparency International is calling on both national

governments and international organizations like the G20 to force corporations

to become more transparent, tighten money laundering policies, and help return

stolen assets.

“It is time to stop those who get away with acts of

corruption,” Labelle said. “The legal loopholes and lack of political will in

government facilitate both domestic and cross-border corruption, and call for

our intensified efforts to combat the impunity of the corrupt.”

 

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