Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Transparency International’s 2025 Corruption Index Shows Global Backsliding, U.S. at Record Low

The watchdog links declining scores to weakened democratic checks and tighter civic space and urges tougher enforcement, transparency and protections for independent media and civil society.

Overview

  • The global average fell to 42 out of 100, the lowest in more than a decade, with only five countries scoring above 80 and 122 scoring below 50.
  • The United States posted its worst-ever score of 64 and ranked 29th, as TI cited actions targeting independent voices and weakened Foreign Corrupt Practices Act enforcement.
  • Longstanding democracies such as the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand and Sweden also declined, with the UK at a record-low score of 70.
  • Country results were mixed: Indonesia dropped 10 places to 109th with a score of 42, India ranked 91st with 39, and Pakistan inched up to a score of 28 at 136th.
  • Denmark led the index with 89, while South Sudan and Somalia scored nine, and TI called for renewed political leadership, stronger enforcement and closing cross-border secrecy loopholes.