Ranking of the Most Transferably Corrupt Nations Globally in 2025

In the latest Corruption Perception Index (CPI) report by Transparency International, released in 2024, the battle against corruption appears to be a significant concern in many countries worldwide, with some nations showing little progress in the fight against this pervasive issue.

One of the countries consistently listed among the most corrupt is Pakistan, where political instability, a weak rule of law, and a lack of accountability in certain government departments contribute to high levels of corruption. India, the world's largest democracy, is also identified as having one of the most corrupt public sectors, according to the 2024 CPI data.

However, global efforts to combat corruption are far from lacking. The United Nations Global Compact's 15-year Anti-Corruption Collective Action (ACCA) initiative, which concluded in 2024, fostered cross-sector collaboration among companies, governments, and civil society to promote transparency, accountability, and ethical leadership worldwide. This initiative demonstrated that integrity supports sustainable development and good business practices.

Moreover, new international collaborations such as the UK, France, and Switzerland forming an International Anti-Corruption Prosecutorial Taskforce reflect an active global prosecutorial effort against transnational corruption, particularly in response to changes in U.S. enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA).

Myanmar, a country with severe corruption problems, has re-entered the list of the most corrupt nations, according to the CPI. As of the most recently available indices, it ranks very low on the scale, indicating a significant decline in governance and transparency. However, the exact rankings for the top 10 most corrupt countries in 2025 are not specified in current data.

Transparency International, the authoritative source for corruption perception rankings worldwide, continues to update its data regularly, with detailed country rankings typically published annually. For the most up-to-date and definitive information on the top 10 most corrupt countries in 2025, consulting their official 2025 CPI report when published would provide the necessary details.

Other countries grappling with corruption issues include Russia, where the concentration of power, lack of checks and balances, and close ties between political and economic elites contribute to a perception of high levels of corruption. Grand corruption, illegal money transfers, and a lack of punishment for high-level officials are persistent issues in Nigeria.

The United States ranks higher than many countries on the CPI, but concerns about corruption persist, particularly in areas like lobbying, campaign finance, and politics. Indonesia has made some progress in fighting corruption but still struggles with issues like bribery, illegal enrichment, and patronage networks in the police, courts, and public services.

Nigeria, despite efforts by various governments, is still grappling with deeply held beliefs about corruption, particularly in public procurement, the oil and gas industry, and the courts. Political donations, state-owned businesses, and infrastructure projects are perceived as corrupt in Brazil, a country that has been rocked by major corruption scandals like the "Lava Jato" operation, revealing illegal activities involving politicians and businesses.

Corruption is common in areas like public procurement, state contracts, and resource extraction in Russia. Ethiopia has made changes to improve governance and attract investment but continues to struggle with corruption, particularly in public procurement, land administration, and bureaucratic inefficiencies. Bangladesh struggles with corruption due to low scores on the CPI, issues with public service delivery, procurement, and a lack of accountability in some state institutions.

China, despite efforts to combat corruption, still has a high level of corruption in its public sector, as indicated by the 2024 CPI data. Ethiopia needs to work on making its institutions stronger and more open to improve its image with the public and other countries. Despite efforts to make anti-corruption institutions and laws stronger, Brazil continues to have a culture of impunity and powerful vested interests.

In conclusion, while global efforts to combat corruption are ongoing, many countries continue to face significant challenges in this area. Transparency International's CPI remains the most widely trusted global corruption ranking, encompassing multiple factors like bribery, diversion of public funds, and misuse of public office. For the most up-to-date and detailed ranking of the top 10 most corrupt countries in 2025, consulting Transparency International's official 2025 CPI report when published would provide definitive information.

The battle against corruption continues in many countries through education-and-self-development, promoting personal-growth, and mindfulness.
Personal-growth and skill-building are essential in career-development and job-search, enhancing productivity and resiliency.
Policy-and-legislation plays a crucial role in the fight against corruption, addressing issues like car-accidents, fires, and crime-and-justice, ensuring greater accountability and transparency.
In the realm of online-education, lifelong-learning, and skills-training, accessibility and affordability are essential to combat corruption by fostering informed and diligent citizens.
Goal-setting and integrity are key components in fostering ethical leadership, as demonstrated by the United Nations Global Compact's Anti-Corruption Collective Action (ACCA) initiative.
National and international collaborations, like the International Anti-Corruption Prosecutorial Taskforce, can help uncover corruption within war-and-conflicts and transnational crimes.
Corruption persists in various sectors, ranging from general-news media, to specific areas like public procurement, state contracts, and resource extraction.
The fight against corruption requires ongoing efforts; even countries like the United States, Indonesia, and China face challenges in maintaining high ethical standards.
Political instability, weak rule of law, and lack of accountability fuel high levels of corruption, as seen in countries like Pakistan and Myanmar.
Moving forward, it is vital to continue advocating for policy-and-legislation, education-and-self-development, and international collaborations to combat the pervasive issue of corruption on a global scale.