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Latvia improves position in “perceived corruption” index

By Andra Kunstberga. 05.12.2013

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Baltics do better in Transparency International’s latest Perceived Corruption Index

Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania have all improved their positions in Transparency International’s latest Perceived Corruption Index.

Latvia climbed five places to 49th while Lithuania also rose five places to 43rd. Estonia rallied by four places to place 28th.

By points, Latvia scored 53 up from last year’s 49, Lithuania scored 57 up from 54 and Estonia scored 68 instead of 64. Scores below 50 indicate a serious corruption problem, according to the report.

Top-ranked Denmark and New Zealand, the world’s least corrupt nations, both got 91 points. Finland fell from first to joint third with 89 points. EU and western European countries continue to perform best in the index with an average score of 66.

“Some countries, such as Estonia, have seen improved CPI scores go hand in hand with efforts to combat corruption, such as the development of a new anti-corruption strategy,” Transparency International said in a release accompanying the publication of the index.

“Other countries, however, prove that words are not enough in the fight against corruption. After a summer blighted by political scandals indicating a lack of accountability and fading public trust, Spain tried to remedy its corruption troubles with a new Transparency Law.

“It is certainly a step in the right direction, but the provisions do not go far enough. This missed opportunity to bring about significant legislative changes is particularly worrying given Spain’s six-point drop in this year’s index.

“While countries such as Myanmar have seen significant improvements in the perceived success of their anti-corruption efforts, on average perceived levels of corruption have failed to improve globally since 2012.”