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Corruption Perceptions by Country in 2023
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How do corruption perceptions in Latin America compare to other countries?
In this graphic, Latinometrics uses data from Transparency International to provide visual context to corruption opinions across nations.
What is the Corruption Perceptions Index?
Every year, a German organization called Transparency International embarks on measuring corruption in each of the world’s countries. It does so through a metric they’ve branded as the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), which, as the name implies, measures how corrupt a given country is perceived by the people living there.
As with any such index, the methodology leaves room for criticism. Many will notice that according to this list, Cuba is Latin America’s fourth least corrupt country. The correct way of interpreting the index is that Cubans consider their country less corrupt than, say, Colombians consider their own country. It’s a subjective measure.
Corruption Perceptions in Latin America and the World
Latin American countries range from Venezuela, which, as of 2023, ranks second to worst worldwide, to Uruguay, which is tied with Japan and perceived as less corrupt than some of the most developed nations like the U.S. and France.
CountryCorruption Perceptions Index score
Germany 78
Canada 76
Australia 75
Uruguay 73
Japan 73
France 71
United Kingdom 71
United States 69
Chile 66
South Korea 63
Spain 60
Italy 56
Costa Rica 55
Saudi Arabia 52
Malaysia 50
China 42
Cuba 42
Vietnam 41
South Africa 41
Colombia 40
India 39
Ethiopia 37
Argentina 37
Brazil 36
Dominican Republic 35
Egypt 35
Panama 35
Indonesia 34
Ecuador 34
Peru 33
Mexico 31
El Salvador 31
Pakistan 29
Bolivia 29
Paraguay 28
Russia 26
Nigeria 25
Iran 24
Bangladesh 24
Honduras 23
Guatemala 23
Nicaragua 17
Venezuela 13
Source: Transparency International.
Unlike most countries in Latin America, which have experienced turmoil and drastic changes over the years, Uruguay’s corruption score has remained stable. This indicates healthy power transitions and is a testament to Uruguay’s trusted democratic and judicial systems.
Other Notable Trends
Turning back the clock on this index exposes improvements and descents into tragedy. On the improvements side, the Dominican Republic has made strides to regain its people’s trust, bettering its score by over 20 percentage points in the past decade.
In the early 2010s, the Dominican Republic was struggling with bribery allegations and a weak and unwilling-to-prosecute judicial system. Just last year, 20 former officials were arrested in the largest anti-corruption probe in the country’s history, which uncovered widespread embezzlement in government contracts.
Conversely, Venezuela and Nicaragua have both continued to undermine institutions and concentrate power in the hands of undemocratic leaders.
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