Where does India rank in 'world's most corrupt countries' list?
What's the story
India has been ranked the 96th most corrupt country in the world, according to the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) for 2024. This is a drop from its previous rank of 93rd in 2023.
The CPI, released by Transparency International, assesses perceived levels of public sector corruption in 180 countries and territories on a scale of zero (high corruption) to 100 (very clean public sector).
Score drop
India's corruption score declines, neighbors' rankings revealed
India's corruption score fell to 38 in 2024 from 39 in 2023 and 40 in 2022.
Currently, India shares the spot with Gambia and Maldives.
Among India's neighbors, Pakistan is ranked 135th, while Sri Lanka is at the 121st spot.
Bangladesh ranks lower at 149, and China stands at the 76th position.
Global rankings
Denmark leads as least corrupt, South Sudan most corrupt
Denmark topped the list as the least corrupt nation with a CPI score of 90. It was followed by Finland (88), Singapore (84), New Zealand (83), and Luxembourg (81).
On the other end of the spectrum, South Sudan is now the most corrupt country in the world with a CPI score of eight, replacing Somalia, which scored nine.
Other bottom countries included Venezuela with a score of 10 and Syria with 12.
Corruption impact
Corruption levels remain high, pose risks to climate change
Transparency International underscored that "global corruption levels remain alarmingly high," adding that efforts to combat corruption have stalled in recent years.
The report also stressed that corruption presents major risks to climate change efforts by increasing the risk of embezzlement or misuse of climate funds.
The organization emphasized that "corruption is an evolving global threat" that undermines development and fuels declining democracy and human rights violations.