Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2025

Source: TH

The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2025 highlights a worsening global trend in corruption, indicating declining governance standards and weakening institutional accountability across countries.

What is CPI?

The Corruption Perceptions Index is published annually by Transparency International and measures perceived levels of public sector corruption.

• Score ranges from 0 to 100
• 0 indicates highly corrupt
• 100 indicates very clean governance

It is based on multiple data sources assessing transparency, accountability, and institutional effectiveness.

Global Trends in CPI 2025

• Global average score declined to 42
• 122 out of 182 countries scored below 50
• Only 5 countries scored above 80 (down from 12 a decade ago)

This reflects a global pattern of:

• Weakening oversight
• Declining civic freedoms
• Increasing corruption risks

India’s Performance

• Score: 39
• Rank: 91 out of 182 countries

Trend

• India’s score has remained between 38 and 41 over the last decade
• Indicates stagnation despite strong economic growth

Comparative Position

• Performs better than some neighbours like Bangladesh and Pakistan
• Comparable to Sri Lanka
• Slightly below China (42)
• Behind many East Asian and European countries

Economic Impact of Corruption

Global Impact

• Estimated to cost about 5% of global GDP
• Equivalent to over $2.6 trillion annually

Impact on India

• Direct loss: around 0.5% of GDP
• Total impact (including indirect effects): 1–1.5% of GDP

This results in:

• Reduced productivity
• Lower investment
• Misallocation of resources