Developed Countries with Minimal Corruption? The Latest TI Data for 2024

Several countries showed minimal corruption practices in 2024. This can be seen from the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) score published by Transparency International (TI).

Denmark ranked first with a score of 90 out of 100 points. Denmark has maintained this position for quite some time, at least for the past six years.

Finland came in second with a score of 88 points. The score increased by one point from 2023, but its ranking remained unchanged.

Singapore ranked third with a score of 84 points. This is an increase from 83 points in 2023, when it was ranked fifth. This achievement makes Singapore the only ASEAN country in the top three.

New Zealand ranked fourth with a score of 83, down from 85 points in 2023 when it ranked third.

Luxembourg ranked fifth with a score of 81. Although its score is similar to Norway and Switzerland, Luxembourg is ranked above them due to an increase in its score from 2023.

In contrast, Norway and Switzerland saw their scores decrease in 2024, having scored 84 and 82 respectively in 2023.

Sweden, the Netherlands, and Australia complete the top 10. All of these top-ranking countries are developed nations.

(Also read: [Link to Indonesian article about slight increase in Indonesia's CPI score in 2024])

Indonesia itself ranked 99th with a score of 37 points in 2024. Despite an increase from 2023, this position is still weak, falling below the global average score.

TI's survey involved 180 countries. A score of 0 indicates widespread corruption, while a score of 100 indicates a country free from corruption.

The average global CPI score was only 43 points in 2024. Many countries showed no significant change over the past decade.

While 32 countries significantly reduced their corruption levels since 2012, TI notes that much work remains to be done. 148 countries remained stagnant or worsened during the same period. More than two-thirds of countries have scores below 50.

"Billions of people live in countries where corruption destroys lives and undermines human rights," wrote TI Chair, François Valérian, on the TI website, as quoted on Monday (February 17, 2025).

(Also read: [Link to Indonesian article about public trust in corruption eradication])