The 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index reveals that global corruption has worsened over the last decade, with the global average score dropping for the first time in over ten years. While nations like Denmark and Finland remain the cleanest, the report highlights a “worrying trend” of declining scores in major democracies, including the United States and the United Kingdom, due to weakened checks and balances. Regional data shows that Western Europe, despite having the highest average score, contains the most countries with declining performance since 2012. To combat this decline, Transparency International advocates for stronger independent justice systems, enhanced financial transparency, and protected roles for journalists and NGOs.
Date: February 10, 2026. Source: euobserver.com