Corruption in European Union countries continues to rise for the second consecutive year, according to a new report by Transparency International published on Tuesday.
Hungary recorded the worst results, while major countries such as Germany and France also saw a decline in their rankings. Transparency International, which develops the Corruption Perceptions Index, noted that out of the 180 countries surveyed, about a quarter received their worst scores since 2012, when the organization began using its current methodology to compile the global ranking.
The TI index assesses the level of corruption in the public sector based on 13 data sources, including the World Bank and private consulting firms, using a scale from 0 to 100, where 0 means “highly corrupt” and 100 means “very clean.” The average score for Western Europe and the EU this year was 64 points, down from 65 last year. Before 2023, this figure had remained stable for about a decade.
Transparency International emphasizes that Europe’s ability to combat corruption is weakening, which hinders effective responses to challenges such as the climate crisis, the erosion of the rule of law, and the overburdening of public institutions. TI analysts point out that in recent years, legal loopholes, weak enforcement, and a lack of resources have prevented EU countries from effectively tackling corruption.
Transparency International also highlights the link between corruption and the climate crisis. Experts note that in recent years, France (67 points) has lost four points, while Germany (75 points) has lost three, partly due to the influence of corporate lobbyists on environmental policy.
The lack of transparency and accountability mechanisms increases the risks of misallocation or embezzlement of funds intended to combat climate change. The lobbying of polluting industries is also a growing concern. The global average score in the index remained at 43 points, unchanged from 2023, with more than two-thirds of countries scoring below 50.
Denmark (90 points) was ranked as the “least corrupt” country in the world, followed by Finland (88 points) and Singapore (84 points), according to TI.
