Corruption is caused by many factors, the main one being a corrupt government. It robs the wealth of the country and uses its resources to gain benefits for itself. Also, dishonest officials, poor economic conditions, political instability and a huge number of other reasons are to blame for corruption.
Life in one of the most corrupt countries in the world is very difficult due to low living standards, high unemployment and economic stagnation. On the other hand, the least corrupt countries in the world have strong economies and provide an ideal environment for investing money, which leads to a high standard of living for the population.
This is what the top 10 most uncorrupted countries in the world look like in 2018, according to a study by the international organization Transparency International, which ranks countries by levels of public sector corruption.
Country scores range from 0 to 100 points. “0” refers to the most corrupt country, and “100” refers to the country with the lowest corruption.
10. Netherlands - 82 points
The country of tulips and windmills opens the rating of the states with the lowest level of corruption.
The Netherlands has an independent judiciary. And because of this, there are few cases of corruption in the country at any level of government. Add to this the culture of trust, social tolerance and effective anti-corruption measures, it becomes clear why the Netherlands is one of the least “corrupt” countries.
For every inhabitant of the Netherlands there is a GDP of 51,885 dollars (based on purchasing power parity - PPP).
9.Luxemburg - 82 points
It is the second country in the world in terms of GDP (PPP) per capita - $ 103,388. Although Luxembourg has a relatively low level of corruption, there is serious mistrust between citizens and political parties. Almost 53% of Luxembourgers consider their politicians to be corrupt.
8. Canada - 82 points
In 2017, Canada's GDP (PPP) per capita was $ 47,307. The country has one of the most advanced and largest economies in the world, based primarily on an abundance of natural resources and developed trade networks.
However, there are still some areas of concern. In the absence of significant anti-bribery measures, nearly 30% of business leaders in Canada said they viewed both bribery and corruption as a top government problem. This data is provided by the BestReviewOf resource.
7. Sweden - 84 points
Those who live in Sweden boast a high quality of life, gender and racial equality, excellent medical care, good education, respect for civil liberties, and the country's economic competitiveness.
GDP (PPP) per capita in Sweden as of 2017 was $ 50,757.
6.Singapore - 84 points
The only Asian country ranked in the top ten countries with the lowest level of corruption. The late Lee Kuan Yew, the founding father of Singapore, made a huge contribution to this. In one generation, the country managed to break out of the shackles of poverty, get rid of corruption and become a region with important international influence.
The GDP (PPP) per capita for the Singaporean population is $ 89,276. Higher rates are found only in Luxembourg and Qatar.
One of Lee Kuan Yew's sayings is, “Start by putting three of your friends. You know exactly why, and they know why. " Perhaps this is one of the world's most effective ways to combat corruption.
5. Switzerland - 85 points
The country of banks and ski resorts consistently ranks in the top 10 different ratings for living standards, conditions for doing business and transparency of the financial system. It is very prosperous both economically and politically. GDP (PPP) per capita for each Swiss last year was $ 60,501.
High incomes of citizens (especially in Geneva and Zurich, which are among the most expensive cities in the world), an excellent education system, quality healthcare and an almost complete absence of corruption - all this makes Switzerland a miniature paradise on Earth. So the Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich recently submitted a request for Swiss citizenship.
4. Norway - 85 points
The economy of this country relies mainly on natural resources and huge reserves of natural gas, oil, minerals, fresh water and seafood.
Norway, small in size, has one of the highest per capita GDP (PPP) ratios at $ 70,066. For comparison: for every Russian in 2017, there was only $ 25,740 of GDP (PPP).
3. Finland - 85 points
An economically competitive country with a good level of education, a full range of civil liberties and a high quality of life. In terms of GDP (PPP) per capita in 2017, Finland is among the top 30 best countries in the world. This figure is $ 42,502.
2. Denmark - 88 points
Denmark was in the top 3 in 2017 countries in terms of living standards... It is also one of the least corrupt countries in the world, although its score is slightly lower than in the previous ranking (previously it was 90 points).
Denmark's GDP (PPP) per capita is estimated at $ 47,992. The country has a highly developed economy and offers its citizens a high standard of living, an excellent education, an excellent healthcare system, civil liberties, transparency of government, democracy and high incomes.
1. New Zealand - 89 points
It is the most honest and least corrupt country in the world. New Zealand has a highly developed market economy based mainly on tourism and the export of wines, meat and dairy products. And the GDP (PPP) per capita is $ 38,075.
With low levels of corruption, New Zealanders have everything they need to live a stable life, including a strong economy, a wide range of public services, high living standards, gender and racial equality, civil liberties, and transparency of government.
As for Russia, it took 135th place in the ranking. (29 points), being one of the most corrupt states. Ukraine is doing a little better - 130th position. Belarus has far outstripped its neighbors in the former USSR, ranking 68th with 44 points.
And the most corrupt country in the world is Somalia.