Determining the world’s most corrupt countries can be a difficult endeavor because corruption is a complicated issue that presents itself in various ways and degrees. Various organizations and experts, on the other hand, provide rankings and assessments based on a variety of criteria and indications.
Most Corrupt Countries
| Country | CPI rank 2022 | CPI score 2022 | 2023 Population |
| Somalia | 180 | 12 | 18,143,378 |
| Syria | 178 | 13 | 23,227,014 |
| South Sudan | 178 | 13 | 11,088,796 |
| Venezuela | 177 | 14 | 28,838,499 |
| Yemen | 176 | 16 | 34,449,825 |
| North Korea | 171 | 17 | 26,160,821 |
| Burundi | 171 | 17 | 13,238,559 |
| Haiti | 171 | 17 | 11,724,763 |
| Libya | 171 | 17 | 6,888,388 |
| Equatorial Guinea | 171 | 17 | 1,714,671 |
1. Somalia: At the Top of the Corruption Perceptions Index
Somalia is commonly recognized as one of the world’s most corrupt countries. For decades, this East African country has struggled with political insecurity and economic misery, which has paved the path for pervasive corruption and abuse of power.
READ MORE: Top 10 Most Spoken Languages in the World!
According to Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), Somalia has routinely listed among the top 10 ten countries with the highest levels of corruption. The indicator assesses perceived levels of corruption in government, with a higher score indicating less corruption.
The prolonged violence, poor government, and a lack of accountability have all contributed to Somalia’s corrupt culture. For more than two decades, the country has been without a functioning government, allowing corrupt officials and warlords to exploit the system and enrich themselves at the expense of the people.
Corruption is rampant in Somalia, affecting every facet of society, from the police force to the courts. Bribery and nepotism are common, and many government officials make use of their positions to siphon off public funds and resources.
Corruption has had a terrible impact in Somalia, with the majority of the population living in poverty and enduring tremendous hardship. Corruption and mismanagement of public funds are directly responsible for a lack of access to vital services like healthcare, education, and clean water.
2. South Sudan
Since gaining independence in 2011, South Sudan, the world’s youngest country, has been plagued with corruption. The immense oil deposits of the country have been a source of conflict and corruption, with government officials and military leaders siphoning off monies intended for public development and services.
MUST READ: The Top 10 Most Followed Twitter Accounts in 2023
The “missing” $4 billion in oil revenue that was intended to be used for public services and development projects is one of the most visible examples of corruption in South Sudan. Instead, the cash was moved to private accounts and used to pay government officials and military leaders luxurious lives.
Corruption in South Sudan extends beyond the misappropriation of state funds. It also has an impact on the provision of fundamental services such as healthcare, education, and access to safe drinking water. Corruption is directly responsible for the absence of infrastructure and services, as funds intended for public development were stolen or misused.
Corruption has had a disastrous impact on South Sudan. The country’s leaders continue to enrich themselves at the expense of the people, while the mass of the population lives in poverty and experiences great misery.
To summarize, corruption is a big obstacle for South Sudan, and the country’s leaders must take decisive steps to address it. South Sudan will continue to suffer from poverty, violence, and underdevelopment until corruption is addressed.
3. Syria: A Country Ravaged by Conflict and Corruption
Syria, a Middle Eastern country, has been troubled by corruption for decades. The prolonged conflict and political instability have further worsened the problem, resulting in extensive corruption across all areas of society.
Corruption is ubiquitous in Syria, affecting all aspects of life. Bribery and nepotism are common, and many government officials make use of their positions to siphon off public funds and resources. Corruption also affects the country’s court system, leading to a loss of trust in the legal system.
Corruption has had a terrible impact in Syria, with the bulk of the population living in poverty and enduring great hardship. Corruption and mismanagement of public funds are directly responsible for a lack of access to vital services like as healthcare, education, and clean water.
The ongoing crisis in Syria has made combating corruption much more difficult. Because of the lack of stability and security, corrupt officials and criminal networks have thrived, further eroding the rule of law and deteriorating the country’s economic predicament.
4. Venezuela: Corruption Contributes to Political and Economic Crisis
Venezuela’s abundance of oil and other natural resources, which exceeds 300 billion barrels, has resulted in political upheaval, a socioeconomic crisis, and corruption. Food insecurity, congestion, and decaying infrastructure in Venezuela exacerbated the problem.
Government officials and their families have been accused of engaging in illegal activities such as drug trafficking. Some of these ill-gotten gains are said to have gone to President Maduro’s 2013 presidential campaign.
5. Yemen: Corruption Pervades Society and Politics
Yemen, a country in the Middle East, is regarded as one of the most corrupt in the world. The continuing conflict and political insecurity have fostered corruption, with government officials and military commanders siphoning off monies allocated for public development and services.
Corruption pervades many aspects of Yemeni society, from the police force to the court. Bribery and nepotism are widespread, and many government officials make use of their positions to enrich themselves at the expense of the people.
Corruption has had a terrible impact in Yemen, with the bulk of the population living in poverty and enduring tremendous hardship. Corruption and mismanagement of public funds are directly responsible for a lack of access to vital services like as healthcare, education, and clean water.
The ongoing crisis in Yemen has made combating corruption much more difficult. Because of the lack of stability and security, corrupt officials and criminal networks have thrived, increasing the rule of law and deteriorating the country’s economic predicament.
6. Burundi
Burundi, a small landlocked country in East Africa, is regarded as one of the most corrupt in the world. Political insecurity and economic misery have plagued the country, and corruption is prevalent at all levels of society.
Corruption is widely used in Burundi, affecting all aspects of society. Bribery and nepotism are common, and many government officials make use of their positions to siphon off public funds and resources. Corruption also affects the country’s court system, causing trust in the legal system to erode.
Corruption has had a terrible impact in Burundi, with the majority of the population living in poverty and enduring tremendous hardship. Corruption and mismanagement of public funds are directly responsible for a lack of access to vital services like healthcare, education, and clean water.
Burundi’s continuous political instability has made combating corruption even more difficult. Because of the lack of stability and security, corrupt officials and criminal networks have thrived, further eroding the rule of law and deteriorating the country’s economic predicament.
7. Equatorial Guinea: Resource-Rich Country Plagued by Corruption
Equatorial Guinea, a small country in Central Africa, is regarded as one of the most corrupt in the world. Despite being one of Africa’s richest countries due to its oil and gas reserves, corruption is widespread and affects all areas of society.
Corruption is ubiquitous in Equatorial Guinea, affecting many aspects of life. Bribery and nepotism are widespread, and many government officials make use of their positions to enrich themselves at the expense of the people. Corruption also affects the country’s court system, causing trust in the legal system to erode.
Corruption has had a terrible impact on Equatorial Guinea, with the bulk of the population living in poverty and enduring tremendous hardship. Despite the country’s affluence, access to essential services including healthcare, education, and clean water is hampered by corruption and mismanagement of public monies.
Corruption also affects the country’s political structure, with the ruling party monopolizing political power and resources. Corruption has flourished due to a lack of political competition and transparency, with little accountability for those participating in corrupt acts.
8. Haiti: Mismanagement Compound the Country’s Poverty and Underdevelopment
Haiti, a Caribbean country, is widely regarded as one of the most corrupt in the world. Political insecurity and economic misery have plagued the country, and corruption is prevalent at all levels of society.
Corruption is everywhere in Haiti and affects all aspects of life. Bribery and nepotism are common, and many government officials make use of their positions to siphon off public funds and resources. Corruption also affects the country’s court system, causing trust in the legal system to erode.
Corruption has had a disastrous impact on Haiti, with the majority of the population living in poverty and enduring tremendous hardship. Corruption and mismanagement of public funds are directly responsible for a lack of access to vital services like healthcare, education, and clean water.
Corruption also affects the country’s political structure, with the ruling party monopolizing political power and resources. Corruption has flourished due to a lack of political competition and transparency, with little accountability for those participating in corrupt acts.
The country’s position was exacerbated by the 2010 earthquake, which caused billions of dollars in aid to be siphoned off by unscrupulous authorities instead of reaching the people who needed it the most.
To summarize, corruption is a big burden for Haiti, and the country’s leaders must act quickly to solve the issue. Until corruption is addressed, Haiti will continue to suffer from poverty, war, and underdevelopment, and the Haitian people will suffer as a result.
9. North Korea: Corruption Permeates Every Aspect of Society and Politics
North Korea, formally known as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, is regarded as one of the world’s most corrupt administrations. Because of the country’s tight political structure and lack of openness, obtaining an accurate picture of corruption levels is difficult. However, allegations from defectors and other sources indicate that corruption pervades society at all levels. As per the source.
Corruption is ubiquitous in North Korea, affecting all aspects of life. Bribery and nepotism are widespread, and many government officials make use of their positions to enrich themselves at the expense of the people. The government has a strong grip on the country’s economy, which leads to extensive corruption in commerce and trade.
Corruption has had a disastrous impact on North Korea, with the bulk of the population living in poverty and enduring great hardship. Corruption and mismanagement of public funds are directly responsible for a lack of access to fundamental services like healthcare, education, and food.
Corruption also affects the country’s political structure, with the ruling party monopolizing political power and resources. Corruption has flourished due to a lack of political competition and transparency, with little accountability for those participating in corrupt acts.
Corruption has also been reported in the country’s nuclear program, with officials siphoning off monies allocated for nuclear development for personal gain.
To summarize, corruption is a serious obstacle for North Korea, and the country’s leaders must act quickly to solve the issue. Unless and until corruption is addressed, North Korea will continue to struggle with poverty, conflict, and underdevelopment, and the North Korean people will suffer as a result.
10. Libya
Libya is another country that has been profoundly affected by the Arab Spring years after the original revolt in 2011. Libya devolved into civil strife following the removal of its leader, Muammar Gaddafi.
The upheaval has now corrupted the country’s political structure, allowing corruption to flourish. Combine this with inefficient corruption monitoring and political elites’ involvement, and you have one of the world’s most corrupt countries.