Brussels-Berlin: Europe and the Arabs
The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) for 2023, which was released by Transparency International on Monday, and we received a copy of it, shows that rampant corruption in Arab countries significantly undermines progress in the region. Despite countries' pledges to fight corruption, governments often fail to comply, ultimately putting basic rights such as health and education at risk. In many cases, this even poses a threat to people's right to life.
  The 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index released today by Berlin-based Transparency International also shows that most countries have made little or no progress in tackling public sector corruption. The global average CPI remains unchanged at 43 for the twelfth year in a row, with more than two-thirds of countries scoring below 50. This indicates serious corruption problems.
According to the Rule of Law Index, the world is witnessing a decline in the performance of justice systems. Countries with the lowest scores on this index also scored very low on the CPI, highlighting a clear link between access to justice and corruption. Both authoritarian regimes and leaders who undermine justice contribute to increased impunity for corruption and, in some cases, encourage it by removing consequences for wrongdoers.
Over the past ten years, most Arab countries have failed to improve their positions on the Corruption Perceptions Index. Seven Arab countries were included in the bottom ten ranks of the Corruption Perceptions Index this year, while 80% of the countries in the region are experiencing conflicts and witnessing instability at the social and political levels. The average combined score of the Corruption Perceptions Index 2023 for Arab countries is 34 out of 100, which indicates the long way we have to go to ensure integrity and justice across the region.
Kinda Hattar, Regional Advisor for the Middle East and North Africa at Transparency International, said:
“Across the region, rampant corruption impedes progress and deepens social and structural injustice. Despite the desire to address these issues, the lack of sustained commitment to anti-corruption measures fosters mistrust between governments and citizens, fueling political instability, and reinforcing equality, and escalation of conflicts.”
Highlights of the results for the Middle East and North Africa region
The Corruption Perceptions Index ranks 180 countries and territories by their perceived levels of public sector corruption on a scale from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (highly honest).
The average for Arab countries this year fell to an all-time low of 34.
The United Arab Emirates (68 points) ranked 26th in the world and Qatar (58 points) ranked 40th, which are the highest scores. Saudi Arabia ranked 53rd globally, and Kuwait and Jordan ranked 63rd
War-torn countries had the worst scores: Libya (18 points), Yemen (16) and Syria (13).
Qatar (58 points) and Egypt (35 points) recorded their lowest scores since the results of the Corruption Perceptions Index became comparable in 2012. Egypt ranked 108, preceded by the Sultanate of Oman, Tunisia, Morocco and Algeria, and behind Egypt were Lebanon, Iraq and Libya.
Corruption and lack of justice
With only seven years left to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, countries in the MENA region are struggling to meet their commitments to justice and human rights. According to the 2023 Global Peace Index, these countries remain the least peaceful in the world for the eighth year in a row.
Amid the various conflicts in the region, including the ongoing war in Gaza, reports have emerged of corrupt practices, such as demanding “fees” at the border for those fleeing the war. Not only does this affect the most vulnerable groups the most, it adds another layer of injustice, reinforcing the existing power imbalance.
Lebanon (24 points) continued its significant decline on the Corruption Perceptions Index, with its score falling by six points since 2013. The lack of a functioning government and the repercussions of the Beirut port explosion in 2020 continue to leave the country without a clear path forward towards establishing a strong national integrity system.
This year, Kuwait (46) received its highest score on the Corruption Perceptions Index since 2015. In September, the National Assembly voted on a new government roadmap focused on enhancing transparency and good governance principles as a means of achieving economic reform and driving development.
Tunisia (40) continues its decline due to the worsening political crisis. The closure of the Anti-Corruption Commission is a severe blow to accountability and transparency, and puts the safety of whistleblowers and anti-corruption activists at risk.
Building on highly corrupt systems will not lead to change. Transparency International calls on governments to give justice systems the independence, resources and transparency necessary to effectively punish all corruption crimes and impose checks on power. They must also, where necessary, develop better procedures and laws to help justice institutions protect themselves from and be able to target corruption.
Daniel Eriksson, CEO of Transparency International, said:
“Corruption exacerbates social injustice, disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable groups. In many countries, obstacles to justice for victims of corruption remain. It is time to break down barriers and ensure that people have effective access to justice. Everyone deserves "Fair and comprehensive legal systems that ensure that victims' voices are heard at every stage. Anything else is an affront to justice." François Valérian, President of Transparency International, said:
“Corruption will continue to flourish until justice systems can punish wrongdoers and keep governments in check. When justice is bought or politically interfered with, it is the people who suffer. Leaders must fully invest in and ensure the independence of the institutions that uphold the law and tackle corruption. It is time To end impunity for corruption.”
The most prominent international landmarks
The Corruption Perceptions Index classifies 180 countries and territories according to their levels of corruption in the public sector on a scale from zero (extremely corrupt) to 100 (very clean).
Denmark (90) tops the index for the sixth year in a row, followed by Finland and New Zealand with scores of 87 and 85, respectively. Due to their well-functioning justice systems, these countries are also among the top countries on the rule of law index.