2006 Corruption Perceptions Index: Poverty Strongly Linked with Corruption

The 2006 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), launched last Monday by Transparency International (TI) points to a strong correlation between corruption and poverty. The impoverished states remain concentrated at the bottom of the ranking, while the machinery of corruption remains well-oiled, despite improved legislation, indicates CPI. Among the countries in the region of Western Balkans, the highest ranked country in 69th place is Croatia, with a total CPI score of 3.4, followed by Serbia and Bosnia and Hercegovina, 90th with 3.0 and 93 with 2.9 CPI, respectively. Macedonia shares the 105th place with CPI of 2.7, and Albania is the worst ranked country in the region, in 111th place, with 2.6 CPI score. Globally, the least corrupt countries are Finland, Iceland and New Zealand, with 9.6 CPI, and most corrupt we Iraq and Myanmar with 1.9 CPI, while Haiti was dead-last with 1.8 CPI score. Another important finding is that two thirds of the countries received scores below 5.0 (on the scale from 1 to 10, where 1 means totally corrupt, and 10 means corruption free). The weak performance of many countries, according to the Report, indicates that facilitators of corruption continue to assist political elites to launder, store and otherwise profit from unjustly acquired wealth, often including looted state assets. David Nussbaum, TI Chief Executive, reminded the firms and professional associations for lawyers, accountants and bankers of their special responsibility to take stronger action against corruption. “In the form of prosecuting Attorneys, forensic auditors and compliance officers, they can be the stalwarts of a successful fight against corruption”, said Nussbaum at the launching ceremony, during which TI reccomendations were presented. TI CPI ranks countries in terms of the degree to which corruption is perceived to exist among public officials and politicians. It is a composite index, a poll of polls, drawing on corruption-related data from expert and business surveys carried by independent and reputable institutions. CPI focuses on corruption in the public sector. Full report is attached to this article.

Attached files

2006 Corruption Perceptions Index 0 B