Pakistan less corrupt, according to global corruption list

As opposition leaders accuse the Pakistan government of indulging in corruption, Transparency International's report on global corruption suggests otherwise. Pakistan's rank on the Index stood at 134, with 42 countries ranking worse. Last year Pakistan had only 34 countries ranking worse on the Corruption Index.

Showing an improvement, Pakistan scored 2.5 in Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) compared to last year’s score of 2.3.

The 0.2 difference signifies progression means Pakistan is improving in the global list of countries that are perceived to be corrupt.

Transparency International’s annual survey, which looked at 183 countries, ranges from zero (perceived to be highly corrupt) to 10 (thought to have little corruption). A country’s rank can however change because new countries enter the index or others drop out.

India’s CPI score went down by 0.2, going to 3.1 from 3.3 in 2010.

Afghanistan showed improvement by 0.1 in its CPI score this year which was 1.5; however it remained in the list of worst scorers, topped by Somalia and followed by Myanmar and North Korea.

China went up by 0.1 with its score of 3.6 this year.

The US was scored 7.1 on the list which was the same as last year, while UK improved by 0.2 with a CPI score of 7.8.

“This year we have seen corruption on protestors’ banners be they rich or poor. Whether in a Europe hit by debt crisis or an Arab world starting a new political era, leaders must heed the demands for better government,” said Huguette Labelle, chair of Transparency International in a statement.

At the other end of the scale, New Zealand took the leading position by a CPI score of 9.5, followed by Denmark and Finland, scoring 9.4 each.

Two thirds of ranked countries in the list scored less than 5, that shows a global inclination towards corruption.

“2011 saw the movement for greater transparency take on irresistible momentum, as citizens around the world demand accountability from their governments. High-scoring countries show that over time efforts to improve transparency can, if sustained, be successful and benefit their people,” said Transparency International Managing Director Cobus de Swardt in the press release.