Transparency International looks at global corruption levels

Transparency International released its 2013 Corruption Perceptions Index in December 2013.

Corruption continued to have a devastating impact on societies and individuals around the world, with more than two-thirds of countries surveyed scoring less than 50 out of 100 in the CPI 2013.

EU and Western European countries continued to perform best with an average score of 66. Some countries, such as Estonia, have seen improved CPI scores go hand in hand with efforts to combat corruption, such as the development of a new anti-corruption strategy.

Other countries, however, prove that words are not enough in the fight against corruption. After a summer blighted by political scandals indicating a lack of accountability and fading public trust, Spain tried to remedy its corruption troubles with a new Transparency Law.

• Primary Source

EUObserver, 03.12.13: Denmark seen as least corrupt EU country http://euobserver.com/justice/122329

ESO: Background information: Corruption seen as pervasive in crisis-hit EU states http://www.europeansources.info/record/corruption-seen-as-pervasive-in-crisis-hit-eu-states/

BBC News, 03.12.13: Corruption list puts Spain six points lower on scandals http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-25193877

Transparency International: News: Features: Corruption Perceptions Index 2013: Now is the time for action http://www.transparency.org/news/feature/cpi_2013_now_is_the_time_for_action

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