Transparency International recently released its 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), which ranks 180 countries based on perceived levels of public sector corruption. India has slipped from its 93rd position in 2023 to 96th in 2024, with a score of 38 out of 100. This marks a continuous decline over the past few years, as India's score stood at 39 in 2023 and 40 in 2022.

The CPI uses expert assessments and surveys of businesspeople to measure corruption. A score of 0 represents a highly corrupt country, while 100 denotes a very clean one. The global average score is 43, and over two-thirds of the countries in the index score below 50, indicating widespread corruption issues worldwide.

India’s Regional Standing

Among its South Asian neighbors, India fares better than Pakistan (ranked 135th with a score of 27) and Bangladesh (ranked 149th with a score of 23). However, China ranks ahead at 76th place with a score of 42, while Sri Lanka is positioned at 121st with a score of 32. Afghanistan, under Taliban rule, remains one of the most corrupt nations, ranking 165th with a dismal score of 17.

The Global Corruption Landscape

Denmark remains the least corrupt country in the world, followed by Finland, Singapore, and New Zealand. Meanwhile, South Sudan has taken the unwanted title of the most corrupt nation, scoring just 8 points, displacing Somalia. Other severely corrupt nations include Venezuela and Syria, with scores of 10 and 12, respectively.

The United States has also seen a decline, dropping from 69 points to 65, ranking 28th. France and Germany also experienced similar drops, indicating that corruption remains a global challenge, affecting even well-established democracies.

Impact on Economy and Society

Corruption in India not only undermines democracy but also hampers economic growth. Investors often view high corruption levels as a red flag, which can deter foreign direct investment (FDI). Additionally, corruption in public services affects citizens directly, from delayed infrastructure projects to compromised healthcare and education systems.

The impact of corruption extends to environmental and climate-related efforts as well. Transparency International has pointed out that corruption threatens climate action, as funds meant for mitigation and adaptation are often misused or siphoned off.

India’s drop in the Corruption Perceptions Index 2024 should serve as a wake-up call. While the country has taken steps toward transparency and digitization, systemic corruption remains a major hurdle. Addressing these challenges requires a multi-pronged approach involving policy reforms, strict law enforcement, and active citizen participation. Only then can India improve its ranking and, more importantly, ensure that corruption does not hinder its growth and development.