The least corrupt country. List of the most corrupt countries in the world according to Transparency International

Corruption and economic turmoil often go hand in hand. IN Western countries In countries such as the United States and many European countries, we often see corruption exposed as a result of whistleblower efforts or investigative journalism. But in many other areas of the world, corruption plays a major role in perpetuating staggering poverty and collapsing economic systems.

Often, specific power structures and control architectures offer easier ways for corrupt politicians, businessmen, or military personnel to exploit the system. Many governments find their roots in the constitutions of past generations and have outgrown their current systems. Many other countries are ruled by many independent tribal leaders and often lack a centralized power structure with any meaningful influence.

Transparency International developed full list most corrupt countries in the world last year, and the countries that top the list probably won't come as much of a surprise to many. The study ranks countries on a scale of 0 to 100, with zero being the most corrupt and 100 being the least.

Of course, corruption manifests itself in various forms, so getting an accurate estimate is incredibly difficult. But perception itself is a very powerful tool and can have a big effect on its own. If the research shows anything, it is that the world as a whole has a huge problem in terms of corrupt officials.

Looking at the Corruption Perceptions Index, alongside the existing power structures and economic systems in each country, the picture does become a little clearer. That's why the authors went a little deeper into the rankings presented on the following pages.

Just in case, they included the United States on the list to give perspective where America ranks on international level in terms of corruption and economic struggle. According to calculations and scales Transparency International The US has settled down quite positively, although it is common knowledge that there are definitely problems with the way things work in Washington.

Other countries you might expect to see, such as Russia, Mexico or Venezuela, all have their places and the full list of 177 countries can be viewed directly in the source from Transparency International.

Here are the most corrupt countries in the world, according to estimates Transparency International, with additional insight into the challenges and factors plaguing each one.

1. Somalia

• Corruption Score: 8
• Power structure: Almost none; “In the process of building a federal parliamentary republic” - CIA data

Somalia may just be the most unstable country on the entire planet. The country became infamous in the US as being responsible for the incident Blackhawk Down, as well as due to pirates who are known to hijack passing ships in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean. The country is barely held together by an incredibly loose central government, and is more precisely ruled by many competing clans and warlords, creating much hostility and division.

The environment in Somalia has led to a difficult life for many of the country's citizens. On the economic front, many people make a living from livestock raising or farming and other livelihoods from fishing. Of course, remaining in such disarray at the top of the power structure makes any long-term planning for social programs and infrastructure extremely difficult.

According to the World Bank, only 29 percent of the country's population went to school, and life expectancy is a paltry 55 years. Both of these numbers rank well below most other countries and provide some insight into the internal struggles the country is experiencing.

Besides these things, information about internal work Somalia's government and its economic system are lacking. This in itself is quite significant, since corrupt officials may not want an outsider's view of true picture what is happening within the country's borders.

2. North Korea

• Corruption Score: 8
• Power structure: Dictatorship

The largest unpredictable symbol in the world - North Korea. There is little doubt in anyone's opinion that the country is highly corrupt, having been effectively brought down in the last half century by Kim Jong-sung, Kim Jong-il and now Kim Jong-in, all of whom the country's citizens affectionately call "Head of State". The CIA shows the North Korean government as a 'communist state of individual dictatorship', with an estimated GDP of $28 billion as of 2009.

Known for having very little electricity and sending its citizens to prison camps, North Korea's government and economy are effectively shrouded in secrecy. While it does receive aid from countries like China, North Korea has apparently had trouble producing enough fuel and food to properly care for its citizens. Military spending far outweighs spending on social programs and aid, mainly to lock down the rest of the world and control citizens.

The country's main problems can be traced to a number of natural Disasters and collapse Soviet Union as the land, people and equipment have all been "worn out" over the years, according to a CNN report. With little hope of change in the near future, North Korea is, for now, destined to remain one of the most corrupt and deprived countries on the planet.

3. Afghanistan

• Corruption Score: 8
• Power structure: Islamic republic

Afghanistan has an incredibly difficult history to try to reconcile. The area has been inhabited for a very long time - and the geographical location has also placed it in the midst of many conflicts over hundreds, if not thousands of years. There is a reason the country is stuck with the nickname 'graveyard of empires', as it is incredibly difficult to not only conquer, but also keep under control.

The country is loosely held by a central government that is largely power-starved and has been deceived by myriad local tribal chiefs and warlords, as we have seen directly with the Taliban and al-Qaeda. A former Soviet state, the country also suffered as a result of the collapse of the USSR.

The country's current president, Hamid Karzai, is notoriously corrupt - he was recently caught taking large amounts of money from the US military, among other things. Afghanistan is also home to the production of a huge amount of the world's heroin, which has created a lot of wealth for a lucky few.

The country's economy has remained in a state of flux for some time, although the fall of the Taliban regime has helped - as there is now a flow of international aid. But it still faces serious challenges in the future.

As the CIA put it, “Crime, insecurity, weak governance, lack of infrastructure and the Afghan government's difficulty in extending the rule of law to all parts of the country pose challenges to future economic growth.”

4. Sudan

• Corruption Score: 11
• Power structure: federal republic

A country that has been completely engulfed in the power of war for many years is African country Sudan. Long-standing conflicts between competing factions and ethnic groups have destabilized the country's ability to operate effectively economically, and the result has been devastating for many of the country's citizens. South Sudan also recently broke away from the rest of the country, taking with it vast oil reserves. CNN reports that Sudan's GDP was expected to decline by a fair amount due to the secession of South Sudan.

The country's government is listed as a federal republic, ruled by the National Congress Party, according to the CIA. The NCP came to power after coup d'etat in 1989 and was not able to successfully restore the national problems. As a result of long-term instability, Sudan's GDP has collapsed since peaking in 2006, much of it attributable to the situation in South Sudan.

Forty-six and a half percent of Sudanese citizens live below the poverty line, according to World Bank calculations. National GDP reaches $66.55 billion. Both of these statistics would likely have seen an improvement if not for some of the NCP's draconian and growth-prohibiting policies. Moreover, if Sudan can find a way to rid itself of some corrupt officials, many armed conflicts could see resolution very quickly.

5. South Sudan

• Corruption Score: 14
• Power structure: republic

One of the youngest countries in the world, South Sudan officially declared independence in 2011, following longstanding conflicts with its mother country, Sudan, which gained its independence in 1956. Between the mid-1950s and today, conflicts in the region have resulted in the deaths of entire 2.5 million people or so, according to the CIA. South Sudan is currently an independent republic consisting of 10 states.

The country is still in its infancy, South Sudan does not have the traditional long-standing government structures that many others have. This has created ripe opportunities for corrupt politicians to intervene, and as a result the country has remained largely undeveloped, with its citizens participating in a subsistence-based economic system. Another issue is the lack of a sense of nationhood among the 200 or so ethnic groups inhabiting the country.

According to the World Bank, the vast majority of South Sudan's GDP—approximately 80 percent—comes from oil exports. This was a major problem because international oil companies were able to take advantage of weak national government structures and regulatory policies, making huge profits at the expense of citizens. In fact, 85 percent labor resources countries are busy with free labor. More than half also live below the poverty line.

6. Libya

• Corruption Score: 15
• Power structure: Transitional

Few nations have experienced as much turmoil over the past few years as Libya. The country's government saw its downfall during a massive uprising and protest that eventually led to a parade of protesters walking with the body former president Muammar Gaddafi on the streets. The country's fall was part of the Arab Spring, which also saw mass protests in Syria, Egypt and Bahrain, among others.

Now, Libya remains embroiled in turmoil. No formal government has taken root, and fighting continues between rebels and those loyal to the old administration. Due to high levels of uncertainty, the country's GDP contracted by 9.4 percent during 2013, according to the World Bank. The power vacuum has left open a prime opportunity for arms dealers and corrupt military bigwigs to take charge and profit by pitting citizens against each other.

Libya currently operates under a transitional government and its administrative and judicial systems are vulnerable to a wide range of external interference. It is an economy based almost entirely on energy, which supplies 95 percent of export revenues and 80 percent of the nation's GDP, according to the CIA. Until a new, permanent government can be installed, Libya is likely to remain a hotbed of political and economic instability.

7. Iraq

• Corruption Score: 16
• Power structure: Federal parliamentary constitutional republic (ostensibly)

Many people may be surprised that Iraq is not higher on the list of the most corrupt countries in the world, but it certainly is. It's no secret that the current state of affairs in Iraq is a complete mess. After the second US invasion in 15 years, the retreat of US forces has left Iraq with a virtual power vacuum, with several different sects vying for power over the embattled country. The fighting is mainly concentrated between Kurds, Shiites and Sunnis, but the arrival of ISIS from Syria has added additional challenges.

The CIA lists the Iraqi government as a parliamentary democracy, but the government's legitimacy is certainly up for debate. And there is certainly little debate about whether corruption has become entrenched in the country, since Iraq's vast wealth and natural resources have made it a target for all kinds of industry and war profiteers.

Iraq has actually seen some economic growth as the country rebuilds itself, but there is also a lot of outside interference from American and European contractors hired to rebuild infrastructure and tap the country's oil reserves. Iraq's future is probably as precarious as any country in the world. It is very possible that the country will break up and become three different states, as it was before the Europeans entered the fray in the early 20th century. As for modern times, incredible instability - along with the arrival of ISIS in the north - will keep the country in a constant state of change.

8. Uzbekistan

• Corruption Score: 17
• Power structure: republic

One of the least changed nations in the world, Uzbekistan turns out to be one of the dirtiest countries in the world. From an economic point of view, things seem to be going well with 8 percent growth in GDP during 2013. In fact, World Bank information indicates that Uzbekistan's economy has remained more or less the same due to the financial crisis that has crippled systems in Europe and North America.

The national government was created as a republic with an authoritative presidential figure in the person of Islam Karimov. The vast majority of the country's power is in executive power, making him ripe for corruption. Karimov has been president since Uzbekistan effectively became a country after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, winning three consecutive election terms between five and seven years. Like many other Middle Eastern authority figures, he apparently hasn't grown tired of running the country.

Much of the Uzbek economy relies on agriculture for its sustenance, as the entire country is landlocked and experiences a very dry climate. Many multinational corporations have had run-ins with the country's government, accused of following local laws and customs. This did not stop the administration from trying to attract more business however, through tax incentives and sometimes even bribery.

9. Turkmenistan

• Corruption Score: 17
• Power Structure: Presidential Dem/Hard Hand

Turkmenistan is located in dangerous neighborhood to say the least. Bordered by Iran, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan to the north, the country is a virtual breeding ground for corrupt states. With the constant turmoil throughout the Middle East, it was very easy for the country to get caught up in corrupt affairs, especially concentrated at the top from the authoritarian presidential figure, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

The CIA file says Turkmenistan likes to describe itself as a secular democracy and presidential republic, while in practice, its government more closely resembles an authoritarian dictatorship. The country itself was founded as a result of the collapse of the Soviet Union, like many others in the region, and as a result of the power struggle has left the people with very high levels of corruption and vulnerability to tomfoolery.

Just like many other countries in the region, Turkmenistan's economy is mainly based on agriculture and energy. The country is fortunate to have vast reserves of crude oil and natural gas, in addition to the economy, although they are run by the government. The misuse of government revenues has scared off many investors and led to high levels of corruption.

10. Syria

• Corruption Score: 17
• Power structure: Authoritarian republic

One of the oldest countries in the world is, unfortunately, one of the most corrupt. IN this moment corruption has also become the most important issue as civil war has engulfed the country and left thousands dead over the past few years. The uprising in Syria initially began as part of the 'Arab Spring', which saw several dictators through the fall of the region, but Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad was able to cling to power through - what many believe to be - fixed elections.

The situation in Syria has quickly devolved into one of the worst humanitarian situations the world has seen in recent memory. The struggle also gave birth to ISIS, a terrorist group that went to Iraq to conquer more territory. Syria's chilling display of government-sponsored violence and corruption has left many around the world awestruck, and has effectively destroyed national economies.

Due to the civil war and dire conditions under the Assad administration, the outlook in Syria is by no means good. The economy is expected to continue to disintegrate, and it is unlikely that the fighting and bloodshed will end in the near future. Millions of people have fled the country and millions more are hungry or unable to find work. This seems to be the only way Syria will find its happy ending with the final overthrow of its leaders and corrupt administration.

Honorable Mention: United States

• Corruption Score: 73
• power structure: democratic republic

There should be an honorable mention for the United States, many of whose human figures must be the most corrupt nation on Earth. Fact, the US does have a lot of corruption in many forms, like lobbying, bribery, election fraud and bought elections. But according to the Corruption Index, the US pales in comparison to countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

The US economic system - although often portrayed as a "free market" - is often not exactly that. A quick look at telecommunications or energy shows that there are many monopolistic forces - and big money involved - that could often rewrite laws to maintain power and influence. Pressure from big business and labor groups is a major factor in why America is the only major world power without a nationalized health care system, and why there has been a huge increase in inequality, especially recently.

There are definitely a lot of issues that the United States needs to solve - from the financial system to elections - but with the status quo firmly in place, there isn't much sign that citizens should expect much of a change in the near term.

Corruption is caused by many factors, the main one being a corrupt government. It plunders the country's wealth and uses its resources to benefit itself. Also, dishonest officials, poor economic conditions, political instability and a huge number of other reasons are to blame for corruption.

Life in one of the most corrupt countries in the world is very difficult due to low living standards, high unemployment and economic stagnation. On the other hand, the least corrupt countries in the world have strong economies and provide an ideal environment for investing money, resulting in a high standard of living for the people.

Here's what the top 10 least corrupt countries in the world look like in 2018, according to a study by Transparency International, which ranks countries based on levels of public sector corruption.

Country scores range from 0 to 100 points. "0" refers to the most corrupt country, and "100" refers to the country with the lowest level of corruption.

The country of tulips and windmills opens the ranking of states with the lowest level of corruption.

The Netherlands has an independent judiciary. And because of this, there are minimal cases of corruption in the country at any level of government. If we add to this a culture of trust, social tolerance and effective measures to combat corruption, it becomes clear why the Netherlands is one of the least corrupt countries.

Each person in the Netherlands has a GDP of $51,885 (based on purchasing power parity - PPP).

9. Luxembourg - 82 points

It is the second country in the world in terms of GDP (PPP) per capita - $103,388. Although Luxembourg has relatively low levels of corruption, there is serious mistrust between citizens and political parties. Almost 53% of Luxembourg residents consider their politicians to be corrupt.

8. Canada - 82 points

In 2017, the GDP (PPP) per capita in Canada was $47,307. The country has one of the most advanced and largest economies in the world, based primarily on its abundance of natural resources and developed trade networks.

However, there are still some problem areas. In the absence of significant anti-bribery measures, nearly 30% of business leaders in Canada said they consider both bribery and corruption to be among the government's top problems. This data is provided by the BestReviewOf resource.

7. Sweden - 84 points

Those who live in Sweden can boast high quality life, gender and racial equality, excellent medical care, good education, respect for civil liberties and the economic competitiveness of the country.

GDP (PPP) per capita in Sweden as of 2017 was $50,757.

6. Singapore - 84 points

The only Asian country included in the top ten countries with the lowest level of corruption. The late Lee Kuan Yew, the founding father of Singapore, made a huge contribution to this. In one generation, the country managed to escape the shackles of poverty, get rid of corruption and become a region with important international influence.

Singapore's per capita GDP (PPP) is $89,276. Only Luxembourg and Qatar have higher rates.

One of Lee Kuan Yew's sayings is: “Start by putting three of your friends in prison. You know exactly why, and they know why.” This is perhaps one of the most effective ways to fight corruption in the world.

5. Switzerland - 85 points

Country of banks and ski resorts consistently finds itself in the top 10 of various ratings in terms of living standards, business conditions and transparency of the financial system. It is very prosperous both economically and politically. The GDP (PPP) per capita of every Swiss person last year was $60,501.

High incomes (especially in Geneva and Zurich, which are among the most expensive cities in the world), excellent education system, quality healthcare and almost complete absence of corruption make Switzerland a miniature paradise on Earth. That's Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich recently applied for Swiss citizenship.

4. Norway - 85 points

The economy of this country relies mainly on natural resources and huge reserves of natural gas, oil, minerals, fresh water and seafood.

Small Norway has one of the highest GDP (PPP) per capita values ​​at $70,066. For comparison: each Russian in 2017 accounted for only $25,740 of GDP (PPP).

3. Finland - 85 points

Economically competitive country with good level education, a full range of civil liberties and a high quality of life. In terms of GDP (PPP) per capita in 2017, Finland is in the top 30 best countries in the world. This figure is $42,502.

2. Denmark - 88 points

In 2017, Denmark was in the top 3. It is also one of the least corrupt countries in the world, although its score has dropped slightly from its previous ranking (previously it was 90 points).

GDP (PPP) per capita in Denmark is estimated at $47,992. The country has a very developed economy and offers its citizens a high standard of living, excellent education, an excellent healthcare system, civil liberties, government transparency, democracy and high incomes.

1. New Zealand - 89 points

It is the most honest and least corrupt country in the whole world. New Zealand has a very developed market economy, based mainly on tourism and the export of wines, meat and dairy products. And the GDP (PPP) per capita is $38,075.

Thanks to low level corruption New Zealanders have everything they need to live a stable life, including a strong economy, a wide range of public services, a high standard of living, gender and racial equality, civil liberties and transparent government.

As for Russia, it took 135th place in the ranking(29 points), being among the most corrupt states. Ukraine is doing slightly better - 130th position. Belarus is far ahead of its neighbors in the former USSR, ranking 68th with 44 points.

And the most corrupt country in the world is Somalia.

Russia ranked 131st out of 176 places in the 2016 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), which is compiled every year international organization Transparency International. Russia received 29 points out of 100, being on a par with Iran, Kazakhstan, Nepal and Ukraine.

Compared to the 2015 Index, Russia’s position has not actually changed: it received the same number of points, and the decrease in its position in the ranking (from 119th to 131st place) is due to the fact that this year it takes into account large quantity countries

First place in the 2016 CPI was shared by Denmark and New Zealand (90 points each), Finland took second (89 points), and Sweden took third (88 points). Outsiders in the ranking are North Korea (12 points), South Sudan (11 points) and Somalia (10 points). The composition of leaders and outsiders has hardly changed compared to 2015.

Corruption Perceptions Index - a composite index measuring the level of perception of corruption in the public sector various countries. Transparency International has published the CPI annually since 1995. The index is calculated based on data for the last two years (2015–2016), collected by 12 independent organizations through surveys of experts and entrepreneurs around the world. Countries are ranked on a scale from 0 to 100 points. Countries with the highest level of perception of corruption receive zero points, 100 - those with the lowest.

According to general director“Transparency International – Russia” by Anton Pominov, in 2016 in Russia “the previously existing tendency to clarify the norms of anti-corruption legislation was supplemented by an unrestrained hunt for individual corrupt officials and those equivalent to them.” According to Elena Panfilova, vice-president of the international movement Transparency International, this hunt is only similar to the real one: “In fact, satisfied visitors shoot ducks at the shooting range from a pre-prepared gun, which the owner has carefully placed on shelves.”

Among the most important external factors that influenced the situation in the CPI-2016 of Russia and other countries is the leak of Mossack Fonseca documents (“Panama Papers”). The published archive featured offshore companies of people close to high-ranking Russian officials. Information about this was widely covered in Russian and foreign media and could not but influence the respondents’ answers.

According to the report of the Council of Europe's group of states against corruption (GRECO), in 2016 Russia fully implemented 10 of its 21 anti-corruption recommendations, and partially implemented the remaining 11. In addition, this year Russia became a party to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) agreement on the automatic exchange of financial information with the tax authorities of other countries, which is due to begin in 2018.

There have been some improvements in anti-corruption legislation, but enforcement practice has changed little. Thus, the seizure of illegally acquired property is legislated, but in practice this measure is almost never used.

Russian officials were banned from owning foreign financial instruments. A law was adopted on a “black list” of people dismissed from government positions and from law enforcement agencies for corruption violations. Companies are held liable for failing to store or update information about their beneficiaries. The government, by its Resolution No. 594 of June 28, 2016, prohibited federal officials from working with organizations whose employees are their relatives. The Judicial Collegium for Civil Cases of the Supreme Court ruled on October 31, 2016 that an official can be dismissed for failure to provide information about the income, expenses, property and property obligations of his spouse.

On the other hand, from the National Anti-Corruption Plan for 2016-2017, mention of the protection of whistleblowers about corruption disappeared - the most important element anti-corruption policy. The law on lobbying mentioned in the previous National Plan has still not been adopted.

In the second half of 2016, high-profile cases against high-ranking officials caused widespread public outcry. For example, minister economic development Alexey Ulyukaev and FSO General Gennady Lopyrev were detained in November, and billionaire Colonel Dmitry Zakharchenko from the Ministry of Internal Affairs - in September. However, these cases were not always perceived by Russian citizens in an anti-corruption context: as a VTsIOM survey showed, more than half of Russians considered Ulyukaev’s arrest to be an “exemplary action or settling scores” rather than a real fight against corruption.

“True anti-corruption and the subsequent development of the country are possible only when institutions begin to strengthen, the most important of which are transparent, fair elections to control politicians from the head of the village council to the president, as well as independence from any of the branches of government, endowed with the trust of citizens and business. and an effective, not just a working system of the rule of law,” says Anton Pominov.

Recommendations:
1. Develop and adopt laws on lobbying activities and on the protection of whistleblowers of corruption.
2. Oblige law enforcement agencies to respond to public and journalistic investigations.
3. Engage in international cooperation on asset recovery and identification of beneficial owners.
4. Ensure the election of court chairmen and random distribution of cases among judges within the framework of their specialization; ensure independence economic activity courts from the executive branch and from the Presidential Administration.
5. Increase the independence of election commissions, minimizing the influence of government authorities on the process of their formation.

Contact Information:

Illustration copyright Thinkstock Image caption According to experts, Russia is fulfilling international obligations to combat corruption, but the real fight is still far away

Transparency International has published the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), its main annual study, which ranks countries around the world based on how experts and businesses assess the level of corruption in the public sector.

The lower a country is in the index, the higher its level of perception of corruption.

At the end of 2016, Russia took 131st place out of 176 in the index, sharing it with Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Iran and Nepal.

Compared to the 2015 index, Russia’s position has not actually changed: it received the same number of points (29 out of 100), and the decrease in its position in the ranking (from 119th to 131st place) is due to the fact that this year it a larger number of countries are taken into account, Transparency International notes.

Last year, Russia's neighbors were included in the index.

First place in the 2016 CPI was shared by Denmark and New Zealand (90 points each), Finland took second (89 points), and Sweden took third (88 points).

The UK, Germany and Luxembourg took 10th place in the index (81 points), the USA - 18th place (74 points), China, Brazil, Belarus and India - 79th place (40 points).

Shooting ducks

The most important external factor Transparency International believes that the leak of documents from the Mossack Fonseca company (Panama Archives) influenced the situation in the CPI-2016 of Russia and other countries. Publications on this topic featured offshore companies of people close to high-ranking Russian officials.

Belarus received in the IVK-2016 compared to last year

As a result, it ranked higher in the index than Argentina, Mexico and Thailand - at 79th place

Transparency International

Estonia ranks in the IVK-2016

1st place among post-Soviet countries

Transparency International

According to the General Director of Transparency International - Russia, Anton Pominov, in 2016 in Russia, “the previously existing tendency to clarify the norms of anti-corruption legislation was supplemented by an unrestrained hunt for individual corrupt officials and those equivalent to them.”

Vice-President of Transparency International Elena Panfilova believes that the hunt for corrupt officials in Russia is only similar to the real thing: “In fact, satisfied visitors shoot ducks at the shooting range from a pre-prepared gun, which the owner has carefully placed on shelves.”

Russian authorities, on the contrary, believe that the country is waging a systematic fight against corruption. In January 2017, the Prosecutor General's Office reported that over the 11 months of last year, 28.4 thousand corruption-related crimes were identified in Russia, including 5.5 thousand cases of taking bribes and 4.6 thousand cases of giving bribes.

Based on the results of the study, Transparency International formulated recommendations for Russia, which, among other things, is advised to ensure the election of court chairmen, adopt laws on lobbying activities and the protection of whistleblowers of corruption, and oblige law enforcement agencies to respond to civil and journalistic investigations.

“True anti-corruption and the subsequent development of the country are possible only when institutions begin to strengthen, the most important of which are transparent, fair elections to control politicians from the head of the village council to the president, as well as independence from any branch of government, endowed with the trust of citizens and business. and an effective, and not for a stick, working system of the rule of law,” sums up Anton Pominov.

Transparency International has produced the Corruption Perceptions Index every year since 1995.

The index is calculated based on data for the last two years (2015-2016) collected by the World Bank, Freedom House, International Institute management development and nine other independent organizations.

In these countries, the main thing is not the law, but the envelope with money. In many countries of the world, only a bribe or the purchase of an expensive tourist voucher for an official can help resolve administrative issues in government agencies. The Social Progress Imperative organization, which studies the social development of different countries, has compiled a ranking of the most corrupt countries in the world in 2014.

20 PHOTOS

10. Tenth place in the ranking is occupied by Tajikistan.
Tajikistan.

The country has been led for 20 years by President Emomali Rahmon, around whom a real cult of personality has been erected: monuments are erected to him, he is sung in songs of praise, and his image can be seen not only in government institutions, but also on postage stamps. Tajikistan is a completely corrupt country. Any reforms that are carried out there take into account, first of all, the interests of the elites. It is also a key transit country for Afghan drug cartels. According to Amnesty International, many officials turn a blind eye or actively participate in the smuggling of illegal drugs. In the photo: the capital Dushanbe. (Photo: Damon Lynch/flickr.com).

9. Ninth place in the ranking was taken by the Republic of the Congo, a country located in Central Africa off the coast of the Atlantic Ocean and bordered by Gabon, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Angola and Democratic Republic Congo.
Republic of the Congo.

The Republic of the Congo had a chance, like its neighbor, to become a democratic country, but two years of civil war in 1997 buried any hope of this. Since then, the country has been ruled by President Denis Sassou, who cannot be called a modest politician. His son is known for living a luxurious life, and several years ago he was accused of misappropriating hundreds of thousands of dollars that belonged to the government. oil company SNPC.

Widespread corruption in the country has particularly affected the education system. Based on the results of the audits, it turned out that more than $2.3 million allocated for infrastructure development was stolen: the construction and reconstruction of schools and other educational institutions. In the photo: the capital of the Republic of Congo is Brazzaville. (Photo: Nicolas Diaz G/flickr.com).

8. Burundi, a small state in East Africa, took eighth place in the ranking of the most corrupt countries in the world.
Burundi.

According to Mwangi Kibathi of Transparency International in Nairobi, Burundi is the most corrupt country in the region. A survey conducted among the country's citizens left no illusions: 36.7 percent of respondents encountered officials in government agencies who demanded a special fee (read, a bribe) for their services. And the most corrupt government agency in the country is the tax service. In the photo: Lake Tangyanika in the capital of Burundi - Bujumbura. (Photo: Michael Foley/flickr.com).

7. Seventh place in the ranking was taken by Venezuela.
Venezuela.

Venezuela, after many years of rule by Hugo Chavez, plunged into chaos and crisis. And in times like these, as we know, corruption flourishes. Just two months ago, Commander National Guard Venezuelan man was caught with 554 kilograms of cocaine. And recent studies have shown that at least $22.5 billion in government funds has flown out of the country into private foreign bank accounts. In the photo: the capital Caracas. (Photo: José Pestana/flickr.com).

6. Cambodia took sixth place in the ranking.
Cambodia.

The German Bertelssmanna Foundation, in a report published in 2010, called Cambodia "one of the most unjust and corrupt systems in the world." Rural administrative structures employ mostly unskilled personnel, for whom the most important thing is not the law, but personal influence. Interesting fact, 70 percent of Cambodians live on less than $2 a day, while the government rents out about 45 percent of the rich land natural resources, private investors. Where this money goes, one can only guess. Photo: National Museum of Cambodia. (Photo: Matthew Ferguson Photography/flickr.com).

5. Chad, a republic in Central Africa, ranked fifth in the ranking of the most corrupt countries in the world.
Chad

An important obstacle to the development of this state and its institutions is corruption. According to Forbes, the country has become a battleground for future profits from planned investments in the oil industry and pipeline construction. In the photo: Place de la Nation in N'Djamena, the capital of Chad, home to more than 9 million inhabitants. (Photo: escandio/flickr.com).

4. Yemen is in fourth place in the ranking.
Yemen

According to experts, about $10 billion a year “floats” out of Yemen due to corruption. This is a huge amount, considering that the GDP per capita in this country in 2013 was only $1,400. Corruption is the norm at all levels of government in Yemen, including in the judiciary and security services. Corruption has become the main obstacle to the country's economic development. Human rights are also constantly violated in Yemen. Torture and summary executions are commonplace in this country, as Amnesty International writes in its reports. In the photo: the capital of Yemen is Sanaa. (Photo: Dany Eid/flickr.com).

3. Another former Soviet republic found itself on the list of the most corrupt countries in the world. This is Uzbekistan.
Uzbekistan.

As it turns out, in a country of about 29.5 million people, bribes are the only way to get proper medical care, a well-paid job, or resolve issues in government agencies. In addition, unofficial “influence” on officials in this country is not considered a criminal offense. One can only guess what the word “influence” means. In Uzbekistan, the courts themselves are corrupt, which makes the fight against corruption almost impossible. In the photo: a mosque in Tashkent. (Photo: Frans.Sellies/flickr.com).

2. Iraq is in second place on the list of the most corrupt countries in the world.
Iraq.

Since the American invasion of Iraq in 2003, when the government collapsed and unguarded government institutions were looted to the last light, the country has become a real scourge of bribery, embezzlement and fraud in the country. large sizes. Iraq is a country of oil, and, as you know, where there is oil, there is a lot of money, for which there is a fierce struggle. It is estimated that since 2008, 2.6 billion euros in revenues from the sale of Iraqi oil have “evaporated” somewhere. In the photo: the shrine of Imam Musa al-Kadhim and Muhammad al-Jawad in Baghdad. (Photo: RASOUL Ali/flickr.com).

Sudan.

On June 30, 1989, the President of Sudan became Omar Hassan Ahmed al-Bashir, who, according to the notorious WikiLeaks, stole about $9 billion from his native country, placing it in accounts in foreign banks, mainly in the UK. Officials in this country demand bribes from citizens for every piece of paper and service that should essentially be free. In the photo: Khartoum is the capital of Sudan. (Photo: Hisham Karouri/flickr.com).

For your information: the least corrupt country in the world is New Zealand, followed on the list by: Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Switzerland, Holland, Canada, Australia, Iceland, Germany.