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Top 10 Most Corrupt Countries Worldwide

Corruption is a dishonest or unethical behavior typically involving the abuse of entrusted power or position for personal gain. It can come in various forms, such as bribery, embezzlement, nepotism, fraud, or the misuse of public resources. 
Ranking of Top 10 Most Corrupt Countries Worldwide (2023)

These countries listed in this article have been known and recognized as the most corrupt countries worldwide. So if you have been wondering or searching for the most corrupt countries in the world, Then this article is meant for you. we will discuss the Top 10 most corrupt countries worldwide.

Read also: Top 10 Richest Pastors In The World & Their Net Worth 

These are the top 10 most corrupt countries in the world

  1. Somalia
  2. South Sudan
  3. Sudan
  4. Guinea Bissau
  5. Equatorial Guinea
  6. Chad
  7. Yemen
  8. Syria
  9. North Korea
  10. Eritrea

1.Somalia CPI Score (12)

Somalia is the most corrupt country in the world. It’s located in the Horn of Africa on the continent’s east coast and is popular for its civil wars around the world.

Somalia’s corruption has become common in both public and private sectors, with government officials and business people engaging in bribery, embezzlement, and misappropriation of funds. The lack of government not functioning well makes it easy for corruption to flourish, as there are no means of avoiding it.

2. South Sudan CPI Score (13)

South Sudan gained independence in 2011 and is the world’s youngest country, Since its independence, It has become the second-most corrupt country in the world. It is known for its misappropriation of public funds, embezzlement, and bribery. Because of the weak government and politics, corruption has risen too far in South Sudan.

3. Sudan CPI Score (22)

Sudan has faced challenges of corruption for many years, but one of the recent events that happened was former President Omar al-Bashir, who was ousted in 2019. He has been accused of illegally acquiring millions of dollars from Saudi Arabia. Sudan is located in Northeast Africa and is also one of the most corrupt countries in the world. 

4. Guinea Bissau CPI Score (21)

Guinea-Bissa gained independence in 1973 after becoming a Portuguese colony in the 19th century. 

Since its independence, the country has struggled with various forms of corruption and only president, José Mário Vaz, has so far managed to serve a full five-year term. There have been ten coups since Eritrea gained independence. Guinea-Bissau is a country located in West Africa 

5. Equatorial Guinea CPI Score (17)

Equatorial Guinea is located in West Africa and is the only country on the continent where Spanish is one of its official languages. The country is also known for its vast oil reserves.

Wealth obtained from Equatorial Guinea’s oil trade has been one of the primary drivers of corruption in the country, with officials engaging in embezzlement and bribery. These issues are made worse by low levels of government transparency and accountability combined with limited journalistic freedom.

6. Chad CPI Score (19)

Chad is a country with impressive ethnic diversity. Known for the hundreds of ethnic groups and languages represented in the country. The country also suffers from corruption through bribery, cronyism, and nepotism. 

Among several effects of corruption in Chad, access to public services is hindered for many due to the common practice of bribery in exchange for access to basic services or goods.

As one of the poorest countries in the world, Chad lacks the resources to combat corruption effectively. Anti-corruption legislation has been passed in the country, but it is rarely enforced except to punish political opponents.

7. Yemen CPI Score (16)

Yemen is located at the southern end of the Arabian Peninsula and has been subjected to political stability and war since 2014. Political instability in Yemen has weakened government institutions and the country’s ability to maintain the rule of law. This creates opportunities for activities like bribery, and embezzlement in the country.

In 2019, UN officials accused the Houthi group of money laundering, using $1.8 billion in state revenue to fund its war effort

8. Syria CPI Score (13)

Syria has gone through many struggles, including its ongoing civil war that began in 2011. A country known for its clean drinking water and has been affected by war, which has led to cholera outbreaks in the country. Members of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Syria have been known for corruption in the form of bribery and misappropriation of funds. Syria is one of the countries with the most forms of corruption. Syrian laws still exist which are to punish all the people involved in a bribe but there has been no government to stop the practice.

9. North Korea CPI Score (17)

North Korea’s state-run public distribution system failed and collapsed around 1994. This makes Government officials demand bribes for various services, including obtaining permits, accessing better jobs, or avoiding punishment for perceived infractions.

North Korea is one of the corrupt countries because the country is so politically shedding some light on the situation within its borders.

The North Korean government strictly controls the flow of information and goods, leading to the proliferation of a black market.

10. Eritrea CPI Score (22)

Eritrea is one of the poorest countries, Eritrea’s military, particularly the Eritrean Defense Forces, has been involved in various sectors of the economy, including mining and construction. 

This country listed bribery and corruption among the judicial and executive branches as ongoing problems. There are laws in Eritrea that provide penalties to officials involved in corruption, but they haven’t been implemented effectively. Corruption has affected Eritreans due to the population.

Eritrea’s government, led by President Isaias Afwerki, has been criticized for its lack of transparency in financial matters.

FAQs 

What is the most corrupt country in the world?

According to U.S. News’ 2023 Best Countries rankings, Russia is perceived as the world’s most corrupt country. The overall Best Countries analysis is based on a survey of more than 17,000 people across the globe and assessed perceptions of 87 countries using 73 different attributes.

What makes a country corrupt?

Greed of money, desires. Higher levels of market and political monopolization. Low levels of democracy, weak civil participation, and low political transparency. Higher levels of bureaucracy and inefficient administrative structures.

Which country has no corruption?

Denmark, Finland, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, and Sweden are perceived as the least corrupt nations in the world, ranking consistently high among international financial transparency, while the most apparently corrupt are Somalia (scoring 12), Syria, and South Sudan (scoring 13).

Conclusion 

Corruption remains a problem in the countries mentioned above, These countries are known as the most corrupt countries in the world and are listed as the top 10 most corrupt countries in the world and they have failed to stop the corruption going on in their country due to lack of government control over the economy. In most countries, not all the government take their citizens as a top priority and this is one of the advantages why corruption is seen among the countries.

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Faith Oluwa

Faith is a content and creative writer with a passion for storytelling and a natural flair for compelling content who is bursting with talent and ready to make her mark in the world of writing. She has all the skills necessary to succeed in this competitive field.View Author posts