ISLAMABAD: Pakis­tan’s ranking in the Corru­ption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2025 improved by one point, moving from 135 out of 180 countries in 2024 to 136 out of 182 countries in 2025.

At the same time, the country’s CPI score incre­ased by one point, from 27 in 2024 to 28 in 2025, according to Transparency International’s report published on Tuesday.

While the country is undertaking commendable efforts in governance and institutional reforms, it is imperative that the recommendations of IMF governance and corruption diagnostic assessment are implemented effectively.

This is essential to sustain Pakistan’s upward mom­entum in the Corru­ption Perceptions Index (CPI) in the coming years, said the Chair of Transp­arency International Paki­s­tan, Justice Zia Perwez.

The Berlin-based Trans­p­a­rency International (TI) notes that corruption is worsening globally, with even established democracies experiencing rising corruption amid a decline in leadership.

The 2025 index shows that the number of countries scoring above 80 has shrunk from 12 a decade ago to just five this year.

The score has changed since 2012: 31 countries improved, 50 countries declined, while 100 countries stayed the same.

This year’s CPI ranks 182 countries and territories according to levels of public-sector corruption perceived by experts and business people.

The Chair of Transparency International, Francois Velerian, said: “Corruption is not inevitable. Our research and experience as a global movement fighting corruption shows there is a clear blueprint for how to hold power to account for the common good, from democratic processes and independent oversight to a free and open civil society.”

“At a time when we’re seeing a dangerous disregard for international norms from some states, we’re calling on governments and leaders to act with integrity and live up to their responsibilities to provide a better future for people around the world.”

The highest-ranked nation was Denmark, for the eighth time in a row, with a score of 89. Only a small group of 15 countries, mainly in Western Europe and the Asia-Pacific, managed to get scores above 75. Of these, just five reached scores above 80.

Meanwhile, over two-thirds of countries (68 per cent) fell below 50, indicating serious corruption problems in most parts of the planet.

At the bottom of the index, the countries scoring below 25 are mostly conflict-affected and highly repressive countries, such as Venezuela, and the lowest scorers, Somalia and South Sudan, which both scored nine.

Data shows that democracies, typically stronger on anti-corruption than autocracies or flawed democracies, are experiencing a worrying decline in performance. This trend spans countries such as the United States (64), Canada (75) and New Zealand (81), to various parts of Europe, such as the United Kingdom (70), France (66) and Sweden (80).

Another concerning pattern is increasing restrictions by many states on freedom of expression, association and assembly. Since 2012, 36 of the 50 countries with significant declines in CPI scores have also experienced a reduction in civic space, the TI says.

The CPI shows the stark contrast in controlling corruption between nations with strong, independent institutions, free and fair elections, and open civic space, and those ruled by repressive and authoritarian regimes.

Full democracies have a CPI average of 71, while flawed democracies average 47 and authoritarian regimes just 32. Although a very small number of non-democratic countries score relatively well compared to their regional peers, and are perceived as managing a limited range of corruption types successfully, they remain exceptions.

Similarly, countries where civic space is guaranteed and protected tend to control corruption better. Those where the freedom of expression, assembly and association are duly safeguarded are generally more resilient against corruption and score better on the CPI.

However, countries where these freedoms are lacking are more likely to lose control of corruption: 36 of the 50 countries where the CPI scores have significantly declined have also seen a reduction in civic space.

TI is calling on governments and leaders across the world to take action to strengthen justice systems, ensure independent oversight of decision-making and public spending, guarantee transparency about how political parties and election campaigns are funded, and protect civic space, democracy and media freedom.

Published in Dawn, February 11th, 2026