Russia Still the World’s Most Corrupt Large Economy

Published: 01 December 2011

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Two-thirds of the world’ countries are significantly corrupt, according to Transparency International’s 2011 Corruptions Perception Index, an annual report seen as the most credible barometer of global graft.

This preponderance of corruption, the watchdog argues, is what sparked protests all over the world, from Arab Spring protests to the riots across Europe because of concerns over economic collapse.

“This year we have seen corruption on protestors’ banners be they rich or poor,” said Huguette Labelle, chair of Transparency International (TI) in a news release.  “Whether in a Europe hit by debt crisis or an Arab world starting a new political era, leaders must heed the demands for better government.”

North Korea, included in the survey for the first time, is considered the world’s least transparent country, a distinction it shares with Somalia.  New Zealand won the top spot, followed by Finland and Denmark.

Most of the countries involved in the regime overthrows or mass protests of the Arab Spring   rank in the lower half of all countries, scoring below 4, with 10 being the least corrupt.   Before the movement began in February, TI cautioned that nepotism, bribery and patronage had the potential to cause strife because of how deeply embedded they were in society.

European Union countries in the midst of debt crises also rank fairly low in the survey, which is compiled from 17 surveys and assessments.

Kosovo, South Eastern Europe’s newest country, is also its most corrupt, coming in 112th place with a score of 2.9.  Albania and Bosnia are just a bit better, placing 95 and 91 respectively.  EU-hopeful Serbia and new EU member Bulgaria tie in 86th place, eclipsed by Romania (75), Macedonia (69) and Italy (also 69).  Croatia, which will join the EU next year, placed 66, with a score of 4.  Slovenia, the only former Yugoslav country to join the European Union, eclipsed them all in 35th place.

The countries of the former Soviet Union fared much worse.  Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan tied for the ignominious slot of 177 out of 183 total, placing them behind Sudan, Iraq, and Haiti.  Kyrgyzstan followed in 164th place, and Ukraine and Tajikistan tied for the 152nd spot with only 2.3 points.  Russia was once again named the world’s most corrupt large economy, in 143rd place, tied with Belarus and Azerbaijan.  The ex-USSR’s most transparent country is Estonia, in 29th place with a score of 6.4.