Pakistan has slipped two places in Transparency International’s (TI) latest Corruption Perception Index (CPI), now ranking 135th out of 180 countries compared to 133rd in 2023. The country’s CPI score has declined from 29 in 2023 to 27 in 2024, reflecting growing concerns over governance and transparency. Justice (retd) Zia Perwez, Chair of Transparency International Pakistan, noted that while the rankings of most regional countries have declined, Pakistan remains among those resisting a major downward trend. However, the decrease underscores persistent challenges in tackling corruption.
The CPI ranks countries based on perceived public sector corruption, using a scale from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean). In the latest assessment, Denmark retained its top spot with a score of 90, followed by Finland (88) and Singapore (84). At the other end of the spectrum, South Sudan ranked as the most corrupt country, scoring just 8, with Somalia and Venezuela close behind at 9 and 10, respectively.
Widespread Corruption Hampers Development
Transparency International’s 2024 report highlights that corruption remains a global crisis, with more than two-thirds of the surveyed countries scoring below 50. The global average has remained stagnant at 43, signaling a lack of substantial progress in tackling corruption worldwide. TI Chairperson François Valérian emphasized that corruption not only hinders economic growth but also contributes to democratic decline, instability, and human rights violations. “The international community and every nation must make tackling corruption a top and long-term priority,” he stated.
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Over 6.8 billion people—85% of the world’s population—live in countries with CPI scores below 50, making corruption a systemic issue affecting governance and development worldwide. More than 47 countries, including major economies like the United States (65), Germany (75), and France (67), have recorded their lowest CPI scores to date. Meanwhile, seven countries, including Côte d’Ivoire (45), the Dominican Republic (36), and Moldova (43), have shown significant improvements over the past five years.
Corruption and Climate Finance Challenges
The report draws attention to the link between corruption and climate change, warning that billions of dollars allocated for climate action risk being misused or stolen. Many of the most climate-vulnerable nations, including Pakistan, score below 50 on the CPI, raising concerns about governance failures in handling climate funds. Pakistan faces a projected climate finance gap of $348 billion by 2030 due to governance inefficiencies and policy delays under the Climate Change Act of 2017.
In other parts of the world, corruption has derailed climate-related projects. In South Africa, nearly one billion rand (over $56 million) is reportedly stolen from the state energy company Eskom every month. In Somalia, where climate change has devastated the agricultural economy, ongoing corruption has exacerbated a 30-year-long conflict. These cases highlight the urgent need for transparency and accountability in climate financing.
Addressing the Corruption Crisis
Pakistan’s decline in the CPI ranking signals the need for stronger institutional reforms and stricter anti-corruption measures. While the country has shown resilience compared to regional counterparts, persistent governance gaps threaten economic stability and public trust. Experts argue that addressing corruption should be prioritized alongside climate resilience efforts to ensure sustainable development.
The latest CPI findings reinforce the urgent call for global and national initiatives to combat corruption. As François Valérian stressed, “The dangerous trends revealed in this year’s Corruption Perception Index highlight the need to follow through with concrete action now to address global corruption.” Without meaningful reforms, corruption will continue to hinder democratic governance, economic growth, and climate action in Pakistan and beyond.