Key Highlights of the 2025 Transparency Report
- India’s Progress: India climbed five positions to rank 91st out of 182 nations, with a marginal score improvement to 39.
- Global Backslide: The worldwide average score hit a historic low of 42, with two,thirds of countries failing to cross the 50,point mark.
- Western Decline: The United States slipped to its lowest score ever (64), while the UK dropped to 20th place following high,profile integrity scandals.
- Top Performers: Denmark maintained its eight,year streak at the top, followed closely by Finland and Singapore.
- Safety Concerns: India remains on the list of “dangerous” countries for journalists and whistleblowers investigating public sector fraud.
In the latest report released on February 10, 2026, by Transparency International, India’s position on the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) showed a modest but notable recovery. After a slight dip in the previous cycle, India has reclaimed its upward trajectory, moving from 96th to 91st.
While the score remains at 39, below the global average, experts attribute the rank improvement to successful digital governance initiatives and a reduction in petty bribery for basic services. However, the report emphasizes that corruption in India remains “structural” rather than “isolated,” particularly concerning opaque political funding and the slow pace of high-profile judicial cases.
India’s Ranking Trend (2023-2025)
| Year | Rank | Score (out of 100) |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 93 | 39 |
| 2024 | 96 | 38 |
| 2025 | 91 | 39 |
The Worrying Backslide of Established Democracies
A striking takeaway from the 2025 report is the continued decline of perceived honesty in G7 nations. The United States saw its score fall to 64, placing it at 29th, overtaken by countries like Lithuania. This decline is largely attributed to weakening judicial independence and controversies surrounding political donations.
The United Kingdom also faced a historic low, scoring 70 and remaining stuck at 20th place. Analysts point to scandals involving government appointments and lobbying transparency as primary drivers for this reputational damage. In Europe, Germany stands out as a rare major economy showing improvement, while Italy and France continue to struggle with entrenched bureaucratic corruption.
Regional and Global Comparisons
Denmark continues to lead the world as the cleanest nation with a score of 89. On the opposite end of the spectrum, conflict-torn states like Somalia and South Sudan remain at the bottom with scores of 9.
| Country | 2025 Rank | 2025 Score | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denmark | 1 | 89 | Very Clean |
| Bhutan | 18 | 71 | Highly Clean |
| UK | 20 | 70 | Clean |
| USA | 29 | 64 | Declining |
| China | 76 | 43 | Stable |
| India | 91 | 39 | Improving |
| Pakistan | 136 | 28 | Highly Corrupt |
The Challenges Ahead: Journalists and Whistleblowers
The report highlights a grim reality for those attempting to expose corruption. India is specifically mentioned as a hazardous environment for investigative journalists, especially those reporting on local mining and land mafias. Transparency International notes that over 90 percent of journalist murders worldwide occur in countries with a CPI score below 50, a category that still includes India.
The “Action Taken” report demanded from the government regarding institutional autonomy will be a key factor in whether India can break into the top 75 in the coming years.
