How corrupt is your country?

"Corruption isn't a natural disaster: it is the cold, calculated theft of opportunity from the men, women and children who are least able to protect themselves."

David Nussbaum, Transparency International CEO

"Corruption is a major cause of poverty as well as a barrier to overcoming it. The two scourges feed off each other, locking their populations in a cycle of misery. Corruption must be vigorously addressed if aid is to make a real difference in freeing people from poverty."

Peter Eigen, Transparency International Chairman

Transparency International today released their "Corruption Perceptions Index 2005" which surveys business people, academics, and public officials to "provide a snapshot of perceived levels of corruption around the globe".

Among the conclusions:

* On a scale of one to 10, Bangladesh and Chad both scored 1.7, meaning that graft is perceived as being rampant. The least corrupt country, Iceland, scored 9.7.

* Seventy countries - nearly half of those included in the Index - scored less than 3 on the CPI, indicating a severe corruption problem. Corruption is perceived as most rampant in Chad, Bangladesh, Turkmenistan, Myanmar and Haiti – also among the poorest countries in the world.

* Corruption hampers achievement of the Millennium Development Goals by undermining the economic growth and sustainable development that would free millions from the poverty trap.

* Foreign investment is lower in countries perceived to be corrupt, which further thwarts their chance to prosper. When countries improve governance and reduce corruption, they reap a “development dividend” that can include improved child mortality rates, higher per capita income and greater literacy.

Here are how some of the countries ranked:

1. Iceland (9.7)
2. Finland (9.6) and New Zealand (9.6)
3. Denmark (9.5)
...
11. United Kingdom (8.6)
14. Canada (8.4)
17. USA (7.6)
...
51. Costa Rica and El Salvador (4.2)
59. Cuba (3.8)
65. Mexico (3.5)
...
117. Guatemala (2.5)
...
155. Haiti (1.8)
158. Bangladesh and Chad (1.7)

See the complete ranking of all countries.

Tags: Guatemala, Transparency, Corruption