Odds and endsNew Zealand rated least corrupt country; Somalia declared most corrupt
The authoritative Transparency International’s annual corruption report, which rates 180 countries, found New Zealand to be the least-corrupt country in the world — scoring 9.4 out of 10; Somalia is the world’s most corrupt country, scoring a lamentable 1.1, propping up Afghanistan (1.3), Myanmar (1.4), Sudan (1.5), and Iraq (1.5); perennial most-corrupt winner Nigeria secured the joint 130th place on the list, sharing a score of 2.5 with Honduras, Lebanon, Libya, Maldives, Mauritania, Mozambique, Nicaragua, and Uganda
New Zealand has been rated the world’s least corrupt country for 2009, topping Transparency International’s “Corruption Perceptions Index” (CPI) with a squeaky-clean 9.4 out of 10 in the league table of just how corrupt, or otherwise, nations are reckoned to be. Last year’s winner Denmark is relegated to second spot, with 9.3, followed by Singapore and Sweden (9.2 apiece), and Switzerland (9.0).
The CPI is based on 13 independent surveys and rates 180 countries according to “the perceived level of public-sector corruption in a country/territory.” Lester Haines writes that the least dodgy performers are happy lands boasting “political stability, long-established conflict of interest regulations and solid, functioning public institutions.”
At the bottom of the the list is Somalia, with a lamentable 1.1, propping up Afghanistan (1.3), Myanmar (1.4), Sudan (1.5), and Iraq (1.5). These poor showings “demonstrate that countries which are perceived as the most corrupt are also those plagued by long-standing conflicts, which have torn apart their governance infrastructure.”
Huguette Labelle, chair of Transparency International, said: “Stemming corruption requires strong oversight by parliaments, a well performing judiciary, independent and properly resourced audit and anti-corruption agencies, vigorous law enforcement, transparency in public budgets, revenue and aid flows, as well as space for independent media and a vibrant civil society. The international community must find efficient ways to help war-torn countries to develop and sustain their own institutions.”
The United Kingdom and the United States feature in 17th and 19th spots, respectively, with scores of 7.7 and 7.5.
Regular readers would no doubt be interested in how perennial most-corrupt winner Nigeria has been rated. Nigeria secured the joint 130th place on the list, sharing a score of 2.5 with Honduras, Lebanon, Libya, Maldives, Mauritania, Mozambique, Nicaragua, and Uganda.
