Pakistan’s ranking on the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) 2024 has declined, dropping two spots from 133 in 2023 to 135 in 2024 out of 180 countries, according to the latest report released by Transparency International. Pakistan Corruption Perception Index 2024 The CPI assesses public sector corruption on a scale from zero (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean), and Pakistan’s score has fallen from 29 to 27 this year, indicating a worsening corruption situation.
Understanding Pakistan’s Corruption Trends
Since 2012, when the CPI scale changed to 100 points instead of 10, Pakistan’s highest recorded score was 33 in 2018, after which it has steadily declined. The country’s ranking highlights persistent challenges in tackling corruption, transparency issues, and governance inefficiencies.
According to Transparency International Pakistan (TIP), it does not collect data itself but relies on sources such as World Bank, World Economic Forum, and other global institutions. The findings suggest that corruption remains a major hurdle to Pakistan’s progress in economic growth, foreign investments, and governance reforms.
How Pakistan Compares to Other Countries
Globally, corruption levels remain alarmingly high, with over two-thirds of the 180 countries scoring below 50. Countries with the least corruption include:
- Denmark (90) – Highest Score
- Finland (88)
- Singapore (84)
Meanwhile, the most corrupt countries are:
- South Sudan (8) – Lowest Score
- Somalia (9)
- Venezuela (10)
Regionally, Pakistan’s CPI ranking has followed the overall trend of South Asian nations experiencing declining scores, with exceptions like Oman, China, Turkiye, and Mongolia, which showed improvement.
Implications for Pakistan
The drop in Pakistan’s corruption ranking raises concerns about economic stability, international credibility, and governance efficiency. A lower CPI score can discourage foreign investments and aid while increasing the risk of financial mismanagement, bribery, and bureaucratic inefficiencies.
Corruption also hinders Pakistan’s fight against climate change, as Transparency International’s report warns that mismanagement of climate funds could weaken national and global environmental strategies.
What Needs to Be Done?
For Pakistan to improve its corruption ranking, policymakers must:
- Strengthen anti-corruption institutions and ensure accountability.
- Enhance transparency in public sector transactions.
- Implement strict measures to curb bribery and illicit financial flows.
- Encourage whistleblower protection laws to expose corruption.
Conclusion
Pakistan’s drop in the CPI 2024 ranking is a wake-up call for government authorities and policymakers. Addressing corruption through strong legal frameworks, transparency measures, and public awareness is critical to improving governance, economic stability, and international reputation.
