What it is?

CPI or Corruption Perception Index is an index published annually by Berlin-based Transparency International since 1995, that according to levels of Public Sector corruption, rank the countries accordingly on the basis of experts assessment, evaluation and some public surveys.

CPI generally defines corruption as the misuse of public properties and power for one’s own benefit. This year’s CPI published in January 2021, which ranks a total of 180 countries on a scale of 0 to 100, on the basis of the corruption index between the time period of May 2019- May 2020 from 0( highly corrupt ) to 100 ( clean).

Corruption Perception Index Report 2020

This year India’s rank in CPI slips to 86th position, among other 180 countries with an average score of 40 out of 100. India was in 80th position in the year 2019, which shows the progress of almost 0 with constant ranking, this year.

Denmark, Finland, New Zealand, Sweden, Singapore bags the top position in CPI as the least corrupted nation in the world, which continuously making efforts to make their rank high in International Transparency.

The most corrupted country according to the CPI is Somalia and South Sudan with a score of 8-13 out of 100. Somalia is consistently in the last position since 2012.

The latest reports show no improvement in the majority of countries, towards a corruption-free nation.

The Challenge

Corruption is not something that can be detected properly on basis of just one survey or a single score. Corruption is Vast, not just in the Public sector, as per Transparency International but also in the Private sector. That has nothing to do while giving ranking to countries as per corruption index, and because of which many scams and frauds didn’t come to light.
It is pervasive where the money is flowing like water in the name of election campaigns, and where might is right policies working well under influential wealthy connections, according to Transparency International.
According to the reports, CPI didn’t reflect the real and actual corruption level of any country. The overall cohesion score explains the true condition of any country.
In India and other Asian countries, the average score is 45. On the other China shows improvement, from 87 positions to 80 positions.

COVID-19 and Corruption

It didn’t take a seat back even in the COVID pandemic. From bribery for covid tests to treatments and faking covid positive reports. Moreover, other health services to emergency preparation of medical suppliers. This is enough for concluding the condition present almost everywhere. Countries with high corruption levels have the worst techniques towards health care.

Conclusion

Despite securing good rank in CPI, many countries fails in progressing themselves for better.

In the last 8 years, only 22 countries improve themselves by improving their CPI Scores like Greece and Guyana. While there are many with no progress at all, continuing the worst rank like Canada.

CPI is not a benchmark to decide a country’s corruption index. There are possibilities countries with clean CPI indulge in it internationally. So, this is not the final accurate result for any country’s corruption index.