Transparency International 2025 Corruption Index Released

Transparency International released its 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index, revealing a global decline in efforts against public-sector corruption, with the global average score hitting its lowest in over a decade. The report highlighted a worrying trend of worsening perceived corruption in democracies, including the United States, which recorded its worst-ever score of 64. Concerns were raised about the United States' actions targeting independent voices, undermining judicial independence, and weakening enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act under Donald Trump's administration. Other notable declines were seen in Hungary and Turkey, while Estonia, Seychelles, and South Korea showed significant improvements. Nigeria's ranking slipped, despite President Bola Tinubu's pledges, while Pakistan showed a modest improvement. The report also noted that young people led anti-corruption protests in countries like Nepal and Madagascar, leading to government falls. Transparency International called for renewed political leadership, protection of civic space, and closing secrecy loopholes to combat corruption.