Ranking the Most Corrupt Countries on Earth
Corruption is one of the most powerful factors that reinforces global inequality, economic instability, and political unrest. Each year, Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) ranks countries based on perceived levels of public-sector corruption. The 2025 edition, released in February 2026, evaluated 182 countries using data from 13 independent institutions, including the World Bank and World Economic Forum.
The CPI does not measure corruption directly. It reflects expert and business assessments of corruption in public institutions. Scores range from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean).
The global average is 42, and more than two-thirds of countries score below 50, showing how widespread corruption remains.
North Korea and Syria (Score: 15)
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Both countries share similar CPI scores but differ structurally. North Korea operates under a highly controlled political system in which state officials exercise strong authority over trade, movement, and economic activity. Informal market systems often function alongside official structures. Syria’s corruption environment has been shaped by more than a decade of conflict. A “war economy” has emerged in which checkpoints, reconstruction contracts, and aid distribution create opportunities for rent extraction.
Equatorial Guinea (Score: 15)
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Despite a high GDP per capita driven by oil production, income inequality remains severe. The political system is often described as highly centralized around the presidency and extended family networks. International investigations over the past decade have focused on luxury assets tied to senior officials. Meanwhile, a large share of the population lives below the poverty line.
Sudan (Score: 14)
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Sudan’s ranking reflects ongoing armed conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Gold exports—one of the country’s most valuable resources—often bypass formal banking channels. Both factions have been linked to illicit gold trading networks. Reports have also highlighted the obstruction or taxation of humanitarian aid in conflict zones.
Nicaragua (Score: 14)
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Nicaragua has seen one of the steepest drops in transparency in the Americas in recent years. The consolidation of power by the Ortega-Murillo leadership has resulted in what observers describe as judicial and legislative capture. NGOs and media outlets have been shut down or forced into exile, shrinking oversight space. Asset seizures against political opponents have raised international concern.
Yemen (Score: 13)
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Yemen’s prolonged civil war has fragmented the state into competing authorities. With dual administrations of Houthi-controlled areas and the internationally recognized government, public funds are often diverted toward war efforts. Fuel imports and oil revenues frequently flow through black-market channels, and humanitarian aid distribution has faced documented obstruction and diversion.
Libya (Score: 13)
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Libya’s corruption challenges stem from institutional fragmentation between rival administrations in the East and West. Oil wealth and fuel subsidies create powerful incentives for smuggling networks. Reports in 2025 described a “kleptocratic boom” fueled by fuel diversion and weak coordination between central financial authorities. Armed groups often exert pressure on state institutions.
Eritrea (Score: 13)
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Eritrea’s governance model is defined by extreme centralization. There is no published national budget, and mining revenue, particularly from gold and copper, is controlled by a small political and military elite. With no independent press and limited judicial independence, there are virtually no domestic accountability mechanisms.
Venezuela (Score: 10)
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Venezuela’s corruption crisis has grown far beyond financial secrecy and now draws global attention. In January 2026, a U.S. operation captured Nicolás Maduro on long-standing narcoterrorism and criminal network charges, sharply increasing international scrutiny. Years of strict currency controls and heavy state control over oil revenues created opaque systems that favored insiders. As sanctions tightened and the economy deteriorated, many transactions shifted to the shadow market, and access to basics like fuel, food, and utilities often depended on connections.
Somalia (Score: 9)
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Somalia shares one of the lowest scores on the index with South Sudan. Corruption in the country is closely tied to fragile state institutions and limited capacity to enforce laws. Although Somalia passed an anti-corruption law in 2019, the Independent Anti-Corruption Commission was dissolved in 2022 and has not been restored. In places like Mogadishu, reports of public land being illegally sold to private developers show how weak property rights and political influence continue to shape everyday governance.
South Sudan (Score: 9)
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South Sudan ranks at the bottom of the index. Oil wealth is the defining factor in its corruption landscape. A 2025 UN report found that $1.7 billion of a $2.2 billion infrastructure program was unaccounted for, and that most of the promised roads remained unbuilt. Public funds often flow through opaque patronage networks, while military spending significantly outweighs social services. With weak oversight institutions and limited fiscal transparency, elite capture of oil revenue remains the central governance challenge.