Ukraine rises in Corruption Perceptions Index

Ukraine ranked 116th out of 180 countries in the Corruption Perception Index 2022, rising 6 points in the rating compared to last year when it ranked 122nd.  

Source: Transparency International Ukraine, TIU executive director Andrii Borovyk in a column for Ukrainska Pravda

Quote from TIU: "Ukraine received 33 points out of 100 possible in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) for 2022. Our Indicator has increased by 1 point, and now Ukraine ranks 116th out of 180 countries in the CPI."

Quote from Borovyk: "The Anti-Corruption System, the appropriateness and expediency of which has been denied for years by pro-Russian forces in Ukraine, has survived. Despite some restrictions imposed by wartime, the work of anti-corruption bodies is taking place, and its results are becoming more noticeable."

For reference: As Transparency International Ukraine explained to Ukrainska Pravda, the key indicator of the index is the number of points, and not the place in the rating. The minimum score (0 points) means that corruption replaces the state, while the maximum score (100 points) indicates that corruption is almost nonexistent. The index evaluates corruption only in the public sector.

Details: The executive director of TIU reminded that over the past five years, Ukraine has been rising and falling in the rating. 

Last year, the indicator of Ukraine increased, according to Borovyk, primarily due to the authorities fulfilling their obligations.

What influenced Ukraine’s rise in the rating:

• Last year, a new head of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) was appointed, which intensified investigations into corruption at the highest level and reduced the ability of certain political groups to influence these cases. 
• Also in 2022, the Supreme Anti-Corruption Court showed its effectiveness, which issued 37 verdicts over the last year.
• In addition, the Anti-Corruption Strategy for 2021-2025 has been approved.  
• Borovyk stressed that many things have been implemented in the field of privatisation of state property as well.

Rating of other countries: Just like Ukraine, Algeria, Angola, El Salvador, Mongolia, Zambia and the Philippines have 33 points. Bosnia and Herzegovina, The Gambia, Indonesia, Malawi, Nepal, and Sierra Leone are one point ahead of Ukraine.

Among its neighbours, Ukraine remains higher than Russia. The terrorist country lost 1 point in 2022 and ranks 137th in the list with 28 points.

Hungary's scores also dropped again, 42 points (-1 point, 77th place), same as the Russian satellite Belarus (-2 points, 82nd place).

Denmark, New Zealand, and Finland remain the leaders in the rating, all of them share the first line with 88 points.

At the end of the list, same as last year, remain Somalia (13 points), Syria (13 points) and South Sudan (11 points).

To prevent a deterioration in Ukraine's performance in the Corruption Perception Index, Transparency International Ukraine suggests that the authorities take four comprehensive steps:

• Complete competitions and select professional, independent and virtuous heads of bodies of the anti-corruption ecosystem: the agency for asset search and management, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the National Agency for the Prevention of corruption.
• Reform constitutional justice, taking into account the conclusions provided by the Venice Commission. Conduct a transparent competition for the selection of judges of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine. Update the judicial self-government bodies to ensure the normal functioning of judicial institutions and launch a full-fledged judicial reform.
• Open data where it is possible and does not harm the interests of security and defence. Resume submission of electronic declarations and their verification by the National Agency for Prevention of Corruption (NACP). Resume submitting reports to political parties. Restore the functionality of the bodies that were restricted due to the war, except for obvious and justified exceptions.
• Use the Prozorro electronic system for purchases for the restoration of Ukraine after the Russian invasion. Ensure effective control and monitoring of purchases.

Background: 

Based on the results of 2021, Ukraine ranked 122nd out of 180 countries in the Corruption Perception Index 2021, having dropped in the rating by 5 points compared to 2020, when it occupied the 117th line. 

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