New data from Transparency International’s 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) reveals a worrying slide in perceived governance integrity across some of the world’s most established democracies, with both the United Kingdom and the United States recording their lowest scores in years and contributing to an overall decline in global anti-corruption performance.
The CPI, which surveys experts and business leaders on public-sector corruption in 182 countries and territories, ranks nations on a scale from 0 (most corrupt) to 100 (least corrupt). According to the newly released report, the global average has dropped to just 42, the lowest in more than a decade, underscoring a widespread erosion of public trust in institutions once regarded as strongholds of clean governance.
In this year’s results, Denmark topped the list with a score of 89, maintaining its position as the least perceived corrupt country, followed closely by other Nordic and small states such as Finland, Singapore and New Zealand. At the opposite end of the spectrum, conflict-affected nations like South Sudan and Somalia languished at the bottom, reflecting ongoing challenges in governance and rule of law.
The United Kingdom’s score edged down further to 70, marking its lowest reading since the CPI’s methodology was overhauled in 2012. Once comfortably in the top ten, Britain now sits at 20th place for the third consecutive year. Analysts point to factors such as high-value political donations, cash-for-access concerns and high-profile political scandals — including scrutiny over party financing and relationships with controversial figures — as contributing to perceptions that money and influence play an outsized role in public life.
Across the Atlantic, the United States also recorded its lowest ever CPI score of 64, slipping to 29th place. The index authors noted that perceptions of corruption in the US have been influenced by what they describe as weakening institutional safeguards, politicization of justice systems, and restrictions on independent voices such as journalists and civil society groups. These trends, they warn, undermine democratic accountability and raise concerns about the resilience of governance frameworks in established democracies.
Transparency International’s analysis suggests that the decline in scores among Western democracies reflects broader pressures — including growing political polarization, the influence of wealthy donors in electoral politics, and weakening enforcement of norms designed to prevent abuses of power. Countries such as Canada, France and Sweden also saw their CPI scores slip, even as they remain above the global average.
The report’s findings have prompted fresh calls from anti-corruption advocates for stronger checks on political finance, enhanced protections for independent oversight institutions, and greater transparency in public office to restore citizens’ faith in democratic systems.
Governments in both the UK and US have responded by reiterating commitments to anti-corruption measures. In London, officials highlighted newly proposed reforms aimed at tightening standards around political donations and public appointments. In Washington, lawmakers and watchdog groups are increasingly debating legislative solutions to strengthen accountability and limit undue influence.
As global pressure mounts for more robust action, the CPI’s latest iteration underscores a stark message: even long-standing democracies cannot take integrity for granted, and without concerted efforts to curb corruption, public confidence in institutions may continue to diminish.
 reveals a worrying slide in perceived governance integrity){kind=link}