- By Ridam Sharma
- Tue, 24 Jun 2025 04:19 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Corruption Perception Index Asia: Corruption is still a major problem in most parts of Asia, which is significantly impacting governance, development, and public trust in the nation. If corruption is prevalent in the country, it reflects on the unfair system, poor services, wastage of money, slows down the growth of the nation in general and makes poor people suffer the most. Therefore, it becomes important to know about the most corrupt countries in the world to be aware of the unfair practices and to implement policies. Transparency International annually releases the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) of each country, which showcases countries with perceived levels of corruption within the public sector.
List Of Top 10 Most Corrupt Countries In Asia:
Country | Corruption Rank In The World | Corruption Index (100=clean) |
---|---|---|
Syria | 177 | 12 |
Yemen | 173 | 13 |
North Korea | 170 | 15 |
Turkmenistan | 165 | 17 |
Afghanistan | 165 | 17 |
Tajikistan | 164 | 19 |
Myanmar | 168 | 16 |
Cambodia | 158 | 21 |
Azerbaijan | 154 | 22 |
Lebanon | 154 | 22 |
What Are The Top 10 Most Corrupt Countries In Asia?
1. Syria
Syria is the most corrupt country in Asia, all due to decades of civil conflict, political turmoil, and fragile institutions that created an unfavourable situation of corruption, which deeply deteriorated the quality of government and public life. Additionally, the conflict has continued to affect transparency and accountability in the nation.
2. Yemen
Yemen is the second-most corrupt country in Asia, due to governance, long-standing conflict and humanitarian crises. Corruption is endemic in the public and private sectors, which is affecting healthcare and infrastructure in the country. The absence of firm government control has made the country significantly corrupt.
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3. North Korea
North Korea is all about authoritarian government and being non-transparent. Press is strictly controlled by the government, and bribery is prevalent to receive basic services. The battle against corruption has become almost impossible here.
4. Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan's state has a centralised government, with no tolerance for disagreement and media freedom. The citizens usually experience bribery in day-to-day activities. The absence of institutional authority and balance causes high levels of corruption here.
5. Afghanistan
Afghanistan's prolonged conflict has badly damaged its institutions. Corruption runs deep in government, law enforcement, and the judiciary. International efforts at aid have repeatedly been undermined by corrupt officials who divert resources for their own benefit.
6. Myanmar
Myanmar has been facing corruption for generations now, especially since the coups by the military and persistent civil conflict. Bribery and nepotism are major issues here. Additionally, judicial independence weakens efforts to reduce corruption.
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7. Tajikistan
Tajikistan is also affected by long-standing corruption, especially in the public sector and the judiciary. The government's lack of transparency and poor regulatory institutions create high levels of corruption here, which significantly affect economic growth and foreign investment.
8. Cambodia
Cambodia has reached a new level of corruption, with everything from the licensing of businesses to the police force, everything being done with bribery. The government's intimate relationship with business elites and the absence of accountability mechanisms are reasons for a high rank in corruption.
9. Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan's wealth of oil has not generated good governance, but rather defective networks and governance with corruption. Transparency and press freedom are still a dream here.
10. Lebanon
Lebanon's sectarian power-sharing political system has made it easy for corruption. The recent economic crisis has shown the severity of corruption in public institutions, which are ruining public sector and trust.
Where Does India Rank?
India is not on the list of the top 10 most corrupt nations in Asia. However, India ranks high in ongoing efforts to remove issues like administrative red tape, bribery, and enforcement gaps from the nation of billions. All these issues make it necessary for India to bring better reforms and increased anti-corruption efforts in India.
These rankings of the top 10 most corrupt nations in the world showcase the continued battle against corruption in Asia. However, every nation is facing a specific challenge; similar factors involving conflict, fragile institutions, poor transparency, and weak accountability, which all result in high rates of corruption across the globe. To solve these prevalent problems globally, the world needs wide-ranging reforms, better governance, and global cooperation.