Singapore has maintained its position as the fifth least corrupt country globally, as per the Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index.
Since its inception in 1995, Singapore has been the sole Asian country consistently placed in the top 10. Over the years, it has ranked third in 2018 and 2020, fourth in 2019 and 2021, and currently sits at fifth in 2022 and 2023.
The index evaluates and compares countries based on their perceived levels of corruption in the public sector, utilizing a scale ranging from 0 (i.e., very corrupt) to 100 (i.e., very clean). Various aspects of public sector corruption, including bribery, misuse of public funds, and favoritism in civil service appointments, are taken into consideration.
Here’s a breakdown of the top 10 least corrupt countries in the Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index 2023:
1. Denmark (90)
2. Finland (87)
3. New Zealand (85)
4. Norway (84)
5. Singapore (83)
6. Sweden (82)
6. Switzerland (82)
8. Netherlands (79)
9. Germany (78)
9. Luxembourg (78)
The Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) revealed that expert opinions and business surveys contribute to the data collection process. The CPIB emphasized that this data stems from 13 external sources. Interestingly, the global average score stands at 43, with more than two-thirds of countries scoring below 50.
Singapore maintained its score of 83 in 2023, consistent with the previous year. The CPIB assured the public that corruption in Singapore remains well-managed, with the number of public sector corruption cases consistently low. Public Perception Surveys conducted regularly by the CPIB indicate a high level of public confidence in Singapore’s efforts to combat corruption.
“Singapore’s reputation as one of the least corrupt countries in the world is hard-earned,” according to CPIB.
In addition to the Transparency International index, Singapore excels in other corruption-related rankings. For instance, in the World Justice Project Rule of Law Index 2023, Singapore ranks third globally for the absence of corruption, making it the leading Asian nation among 142 countries.
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The CPIB highlights its commitment to working collaboratively with the community to maintain the integrity of Singapore’s governance. Moreover, the CPIB conducts its own Public Perception Surveys, further demonstrating the public’s strong confidence in Singapore’s anti-corruption endeavors.