Where does the USA rank on corruption?
Asked by: Dena Heaney | Last update: July 3, 2026Score: 4.9/5 (35 votes)
The United States ranks 29th out of 182 countries in Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), tied with the Bahamas. With a score of 64 out of 100 (where 0 means highly corrupt and 100 means very clean), this represents the lowest placement for the U.S. in the index's modern history, reflecting a steady decade-long decline.
Which country is no. 1 in corruption?
South Sudan is consistently ranked as the world’s most corrupt country, scoring lowest on the global Corruption Perceptions Index published by Transparency International.
What rank are the USA in corruption?
When ranked by score, the United States ranks 28th among the 180 countries in the index, where the country ranked first is perceived to have the most honest public sector.
What are the 10 least corrupt countries in the world?
Based on the Transparency International 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) published in February 2026, the world's least corrupt countries are led by Denmark, Finland, and Singapore, which excel due to strong rule of law, high government transparency, and robust accountability frameworks. These nations are characterized by low bribery and high public trust.
Is corruption increasing in the USA?
Perception and expert analyses indicate that the United States is becoming more corrupt, with the country hitting its lowest-ever ranking in leading global corruption indexes in recent years.
US Falls To Lowest-Ever Rank In Global Corruption Index | GRAVITAS
What is Russia's corruption score?
Russia has a score of 22 out of 100 on the Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index, where 0 indicates a highly corrupt public sector. This score places Russia at 157th out of 182 countries, making it one of the lowest-ranked nations globally, tied with Chad, Honduras, and Zimbabwe.
Has there ever been corruption in the US government?
The Teapot Dome scandal was a major instance of corruption during the Presidency of Warren G. Harding. Secretary of the Interior Albert B. Fall had accepted bribes from oil companies in exchange for access to government petroleum reserves.
What country does not have a corrupt government?
The least corrupt countries from different regions, such as the Nordics (Denmark, Finland), Oceania (New Zealand, Australia), Asia (Singapore), and Europe (Switzerland, Netherlands), highlight that low corruption is achievable in different cultural, economic, and political contexts. It is from 2024.
Is Japan's corruption free?
There were also high-profile incidents of corporate malfeasance. Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index for 2024 ranked Japan in the 20th position with a score of 71. The Corruption Perceptions Index scores the public sector of 180 countries on a scale from 0 ("highly corrupt") to 100 ("very clean").
What is the least problematic country in the world?
Based on data from 2025–2026, Iceland is frequently ranked as the least problematic country, holding the top spot on the Global Peace Index (GPI) since 2008 due to its high safety, low crime, and lack of external conflicts. Other top contenders for low conflict, corruption, and high stability include Denmark, Singapore, and Switzerland.
What is Mexico ranked in corruption?
Mexico ranks 141st out of 182 countries worldwide in the Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), earning a score of 27 out of 100. This score places Mexico among the lowest in the Americas and last among all 38 nations in the OECD.
What is the corruption index for China?
The 2022 Corruption Perceptions Index showed decreasing corruption in China, and in 2021 and 2022, for the first time, China had less perceived corruption than the average country; that is, China's 2021–22 score of 45 was higher than the average score of 43.
What are the main causes of corruption?
Corruption is driven by a combination of weak institutional oversight, low accountability, and economic pressures, often manifesting as bribery or embezzlement. Key causes include excessive bureaucracy, low public sector wages, lack of transparency, and cultural norms that prioritize personal connections over public duty.
Where does the USA rank on corruption?
The United States ranks 29th out of 182 countries in Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), tied with the Bahamas. With a score of 64 out of 100 (where 0 means highly corrupt and 100 means very clean), this represents the lowest placement for the U.S. in the index's modern history, reflecting a steady decade-long decline.
What is the least corrupt country in Africa?
Seychelles is consistently ranked as the least corrupt country in Africa, often scoring highest on Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI). Other top-performing, less corrupt nations on the continent typically include Cabo Verde, Botswana, Rwanda, Mauritius, and Namibia.
What defines a country as "corrupt"?
The CPI generally defines corruption as an "abuse of entrusted power for private gain". Map of the Corruption Perceptions Index, 2025, as scored by Transparency international. A higher score indicates greater transparency (i.e., less corruption).
What country has the least corruption?
Denmark, Finland, Singapore, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland and Sweden (almost all scoring above 80 over the last thirteen years), are perceived as the least corrupt nations in the world — ranking consistently high among international financial transparency — while the most apparently corrupt is South Sudan (scoring ...
Is $40,000 USD a good salary in Japan?
Living comfortably in Japan depends on your location, lifestyle expectations, and personal financial habits. With an average annual salary of around ¥6 million JPY (~40,000 USD), a single person can afford a modest but comfortable lifestyle in most cities outside the Tokyo metropolitan area.
Can I kiss my girlfriend in public in Japan?
Yes, you can. There are no laws against kissing or showing affection in public in Japan, and the police will not arrest you. However, Public Displays of Affection (PDA) are generally considered taboo and a breach of polite etiquette.
Which country has the most corrupt government in the world?
Based on the 2025/2026 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), published by Transparency International, South Sudan is consistently ranked as the most corrupt government in the world. With a score of only 8–9 out of 100, the nation suffers from extreme bribery, embezzlement, and a lack of institutional trust.
Is China corruption free?
No, China is not corruption-free. Despite a massive, long-running anti-corruption campaign initiated by President Xi Jinping in 2012 that has disciplined over 5 million officials, corruption remains a significant issue across government, business, and military sectors.
What is the least corrupt country in Europe?
Denmark is consistently ranked as the least corrupt country in Europe and the world, holding the top spot in the 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) with a score of 89 out of 100. Finland (88) and Norway (81) closely follow, maintaining their positions as top performers in public sector integrity.
How did American politics become so corrupt?
American politicians are often perceived as corrupt due to a system heavily influenced by large-scale money in politics, where expensive campaigns make candidates reliant on wealthy donors, lobbyists, and special interests. Legalized influence (lobbying), weak transparency, and systemic issues like "[dark money]" donations enable prioritizing wealthy donors over public interests.
Is corruption on the rise in the US?
Perception and expert analyses indicate that the United States is becoming more corrupt, with the country hitting its lowest-ever ranking in leading global corruption indexes in recent years.
Why do people not trust the US government?
Public trust in the U.S. government is at historically low levels, with only about 17% of Americans saying they trust the government to do what is right "most of the time" or "always," according to a 2025 Pew Research Center report. Key drivers of this distrust include the perception of widespread corruption and inefficiency, deep political polarization, a belief that officials serve special interests rather than the public, and a lack of transparency.