Segun Atanda/
The United States has dropped to its worst-ever position in the Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), ranking 29th out of 182 countries with a score of 64, its lowest level on record.
The CPI measures perceptions of public-sector corruption among independent experts and business leaders.
Transparency International, the global coalition against corruption, attributed the decline to weakened enforcement of anti-corruption laws, including a pause on investigations into corporate foreign bribery and reduced oversight of government institutions.
CEO, Maíra Martini, warned the trend may continue unless reforms are implemented.
Other established democracies also showed declines. The United Kingdom recorded its lowest CPI score of 70 but remained 20th, while Canada experienced a drop in performance.
Denmark maintained its top position for the eighth consecutive year with a score of 89, followed by Finland and Singapore.
Nigeria, meanwhile, retrogressed in the 2025 index, falling to 142nd place from 140th in 2024, marking it as the 36th most corrupt country in the world, according to Transparency International.
The ranking reflects ongoing challenges in governance, public-sector accountability, and anti-corruption enforcement, even as Nigeria remains ahead of several lower-ranked countries in the CPI.
Globally, the average CPI score fell to 42, the lowest in more than a decade, signalling a worrying deterioration in efforts to curb corruption worldwide.
Transparency International said: “The vast majority of countries are failing to keep corruption under control.”
The CPI highlights the integrity of public institutions but notes that high scores do not necessarily indicate low corruption in the private sector. Even top-ranking countries face scrutiny for corporate and financial practices that may facilitate illicit activity.
The report has renewed debate over governance reforms and accountability measures, with countries like the US and Nigeria facing calls to strengthen anti-corruption institutions and restore public trust.
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