February 11, 2025 – Pakistan has witnessed a decline in its ranking on the 2024 Corruption Perception Index (CPI), according to Transparency International’s latest report released on Tuesday. The country now ranks 135th out of 180 countries, down from its 133rd position last year. Pakistan’s CPI score has also decreased by two points, from 29/100 in 2023 to 27/100 in 2024, signaling a continued struggle in combating corruption within its public sector.
The CPI, published annually by the Berlin-based corruption watchdog Transparency International, ranks countries and territories worldwide by their perceived levels of public sector corruption. The rankings are based on expert assessments and surveys, with scores ranging from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean). The report provides a critical snapshot of global corruption trends, shedding light on areas that require urgent reform and transparency initiatives.
According to Justice Zia Perwez (retired), Chair of Transparency International Pakistan, the country’s drop in rank mirrors a broader regional trend where most countries have seen their scores decline. “In CPI 2024, the score of all countries in the region except Oman, China, Turkey, and Mongolia has reduced. Pakistan’s score and rank on CPI 2024 has decreased by 2 points from 29 in CPI 2023 to 27 in CPI 2024,” he explained in the report’s press release. He further added that despite this decline, Pakistan is holding up relatively well compared to other nations in the region, as it is one of the few countries that has not witnessed a larger drop.
This decrease in ranking reflects the persistent challenges Pakistan faces in addressing corruption across its public sector. The country’s political, judicial, and administrative institutions continue to struggle with systemic governance gaps, policy implementation delays, and inefficiencies that hinder the effective use of public resources. Moreover, the report points out that Pakistan’s inability to address climate-related governance issues exacerbates its challenges. Despite the country’s vulnerability to extreme climate events, systemic issues have left Pakistan far below its projected climate finance goals. The government’s failure to implement regulations and establish institutions under the Climate Change Act of 2017 has left the country unable to access the $348 billion needed by 2030 for climate action.
The global corruption landscape remains a pressing concern, with the 2024 CPI report revealing that corruption levels remain alarmingly high worldwide. The report highlights that more than two-thirds of countries score below 50 out of 100, demonstrating that corruption continues to be a significant obstacle to good governance, democracy, and climate action. The global average for the CPI remains unchanged at 43, reinforcing the urgent need for governments around the world to prioritize anti-corruption measures.
Denmark continues to lead the rankings with an impressive score of 90, followed by Finland (88) and Singapore (84). These nations are hailed as examples of transparency, accountability, and strong anti-corruption frameworks. On the other end of the spectrum, South Sudan ranks as the most corrupt country with a score of just 8, followed by Somalia and Venezuela with scores of 9 and 10, respectively.
The 2024 CPI report underscores the importance of tackling corruption to ensure sustainable development and effective climate action. As the global community faces mounting challenges from climate change, the erosion of democratic values, and widespread inequality, the fight against corruption remains a critical factor in shaping a fairer and more transparent world.
For Pakistan, addressing corruption in both public and private sectors will be crucial to improving its governance framework, attracting foreign investment, and ensuring the equitable distribution of resources to combat the ongoing climate crisis. Efforts to strengthen institutions, enforce regulations, and foster accountability will be essential steps in improving the country’s standing in future CPI reports and achieving broader development goals.