Top 20 Most Corrupt Countries in the World in 2025

Corruption remains one of the most persistent global challenges in 2025. Despite advances in technology, governance reforms, and international oversight, many countries continue to struggle with bribery, abuse of power, lack of transparency, and weak rule of law. These problems directly affect economic growth, public trust, foreign investment, and the everyday lives of citizens.

Each year, international organizations assess corruption levels worldwide using expert assessments and business surveys. The most widely referenced benchmark is the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), which scores countries on a scale from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean). Based on the latest available CPI data published in early 2025, this article examines the Top 20 most corrupt countries in the world in 2025, explains why corruption persists in these nations, and explores its broader consequences.

How Corruption Is Measured Globally

Before looking at rankings, it is important to understand what “corruption” means in a global context. International indices focus primarily on public-sector corruption, including:

• Bribery of public officials

• Misuse of government funds

• Nepotism and favoritism

• Lack of accountability in public institutions

• Weak enforcement of anti-corruption laws

The CPI does not measure individual crimes directly. Instead, it reflects perceived corruption, based on consistent, comparable data from experts, economists, and business leaders across the world .

Top 20 Most Corrupt Countries in 2025

1. South Sudan

South Sudan ranks as the most corrupt country in the world in 2025. Ongoing conflict, weak institutions, and widespread misuse of public funds have severely undermined governance. Corruption affects nearly every sector, from oil revenues to humanitarian aid distribution .

2. Somalia

Somalia continues to suffer from decades of political instability and fragmented authority. Bribery, illegal taxation, and lack of centralized control make corruption deeply entrenched, especially in customs, security forces, and public procurement.

3. Syria

Years of war have destroyed oversight mechanisms in Syria. Public resources are often diverted through informal networks, while sanctions and conflict conditions increase black-market activity and corruption risks.

4. Venezuela

Economic collapse, currency controls, and politicized institutions have fueled corruption in Venezuela. Public services, oil revenues, and food distribution systems are commonly linked to bribery and favoritism.

5. Yemen

Yemen’s prolonged humanitarian crisis has created conditions where corruption thrives. Weak institutions, limited transparency, and armed conflict have eroded accountability across government agencies.

6. Libya

Despite vast natural resources, Libya struggles with corruption due to political fragmentation and competing power centers. Public finances and oil revenues remain particularly vulnerable to misuse.

7. Eritrea

Eritrea’s lack of political freedoms, absence of independent oversight, and indefinite national service contribute to opaque governance and high corruption risk.

8. Equatorial Guinea

Despite oil wealth, Equatorial Guinea faces persistent corruption linked to elite control of state resources, weak checks and balances, and limited transparency in public spending.

9. Haiti

Haiti’s fragile institutions, political instability, and weak judiciary continue to drive corruption. Public trust remains low, especially after repeated scandals involving state funds.

10. Nicaragua

In Nicaragua, concentration of political power and reduced institutional independence have weakened anti-corruption enforcement, increasing risks of abuse of authority.

11. Sudan

Sudan’s political transitions and economic struggles have left institutions vulnerable. Corruption remains common in customs, land administration, and public contracts.

12. Chad

Chad faces chronic governance challenges, including limited accountability and high corruption risks in the oil sector and public administration.

13. Burundi

Weak rule of law and political pressure on institutions have contributed to ongoing corruption in Burundi, particularly at local administrative levels.

14. Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

Despite abundant natural resources, the DRC continues to struggle with corruption linked to mining concessions, tax collection, and public service delivery.

15. Turkmenistan

Extreme lack of transparency and restricted access to information place Turkmenistan among the most corrupt countries. State finances are largely opaque.

16. Afghanistan

Following political upheaval, Afghanistan’s governance structures remain fragile. Limited institutional oversight and economic isolation have increased corruption risks.

17. Iran

Sanctions, state dominance of key industries, and limited transparency contribute to corruption challenges in Iran, particularly in procurement and state-owned enterprises.

18. North Korea

North Korea’s closed political system and absence of independent monitoring make corruption widespread, especially within informal markets and state distribution systems.

19. Myanmar

Political instability and military dominance have reversed earlier reforms, increasing corruption risks across public institutions and state-owned businesses.

20. Laos

Laos rounds out the list due to weak regulatory enforcement, limited media freedom, and persistent bribery in infrastructure and investment projects.

Why These Countries Struggle With Corruption

Although each country has unique circumstances, several common factors explain why corruption remains severe:

Weak Institutions

When courts, audit bodies, and law enforcement lack independence, corruption goes unpunished.

Political Instability

War, coups, and fragile governments divert attention from accountability and create opportunities for abuse.

Lack of Transparency

Closed budgets, restricted media, and limited access to public information make oversight difficult.

Economic Hardship

Poverty and low public-sector wages increase incentives for bribery and informal payments.

Impact of Corruption on Citizens and the Economy

Corruption is not just a political issue; it has real consequences for everyday life:

• Poor public services such as healthcare and education

• Higher costs of living due to bribery and inefficiency

• Lower foreign investment and economic growth

• Erosion of trust in government and institutions

Globally, more than two-thirds of countries score below 50 on the CPI scale, showing that corruption remains a widespread challenge, not limited to developing nations .

Can Corruption Be Reduced?

Yes, history shows that progress is possible. Countries that have improved their scores over time typically focus on:

• Strengthening judicial independence

• Digitizing public services to reduce human discretion

• Protecting investigative journalism

• Enforcing asset declarations for officials

• Supporting civil society oversight

While change is slow, consistent reforms can significantly reduce corruption over the long term.

The Top 20 most corrupt countries in the world in 2025 highlight how deeply governance, transparency, and accountability shape national outcomes. Corruption is not inevitable, but it thrives where institutions are weak and oversight is limited. Addressing it requires sustained political will, international cooperation, and strong public engagement.

As global awareness grows and data becomes more transparent, pressure continues to mount on governments to reform. The fight against corruption remains one of the defining challenges of the modern world.