The United States has recorded its lowest-ever score on the globally renowned Corruption Perceptions Index, plummeting to 64 out of 100 and dropping to 29th place out of 182 countries, according to Transparency International's 2025 report released on 10 February.
This marks a significant decline from 75 in 2015 and represents the worst ranking for the U.S. since the index updated its methodology in 2012. The country now ties with the Bahamas and falls behind nations such as Uruguay, Barbados, and Lithuania. "We are very concerned about the situation in the United States," said Transparency International CEO Maíra Martini. "This declining trend might continue."
Denmark maintained its position at the top for the eighth consecutive year with a score of 89, followed closely by Finland at 88 and Singapore at 84. At the opposite end of the spectrum, South Sudan and Somalia tied for last place with scores of 9, while Venezuela scored 10.
The Corruption Perceptions Index gauges perceptions of public sector corruption as assessed by independent experts and business executives. It evaluates factors including bribery, judicial independence, and the abuse of public office for private gain, drawing primarily from data collected through 2024 and into early 2025.
Transparency International highlighted recent developments under the Trump administration that were not fully captured in the 2025 index but could further erode the U.S. score. "Although 2025 developments are not yet fully reflected, actions targeting independent voices and undermining judicial independence raise serious concerns," the organization stated.
Among the specific actions cited was President Trump's decision to freeze enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the primary U.S. law prohibiting companies from bribing foreign officials. The administration described the move as a measure to bolster American businesses' competitiveness abroad, though critics argue it conveys a troubling tolerance for corruption.
