Global Corruption Perceptions Index: Positive Results for Gulf Countries, Iran Lagging Behind

Brussels- Saudi Arabia has ranked 48th in the Transparency International Index (TI) organization, in terms of its anti-corruption drive; thus, upward seven positions compared to 55th in 2014 with a score of 52 compared to 49 in the previous year, according to the TI Corruption Perception Index (CPI) for 2015, which was released on Wednesday.

TI issues its annual indicator, which shows the scores and ranks occupied by countries based on the perceptions of widespread corruption in the public sector. The report focuses on the number of points earned by each country and numerical changes to these points in each annual report.

Other GCC countries also improved their rankings with Qatar on top of other member nations as it landed on the 22nd spot compared to 26th in 2014 with a score of 71 compared to 69 in the previous year, followed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on the 23rd spot compared to 25th in 2014 retaining its score at 70. Bahrain ranked the 50th compared to 55th in 2014 with a score of 51 compared to 49 in the previous year, Kuwait landed on the 55th spot compared to 67th in 2014 with a score of 49 compared to the previous year’s 44, and Oman on the 60th compared to 64th in 2014 maintaining its score at 45.

Algeria, Egypt, and Morocco were ranked in the 88th slot out of the 168 most corrupt countries worldwide with a score of 36, preceded by Tunisia, which scored 38 points ranking 76th worldwide. However, lagging behind, Iran landed 130th with a score of 27, so did Syria landing 154th, Libya and Iraq 161th, Sudan 165th, and several other corrupted countries.