Iraq’s Continued Improvement On Corruption Index But Still At Bottom

(Reuters)

Iraq remains towards the bottom of Transparency Internationals Corruption Perceptions Index. The organization released its new report at the end of January. Iraq had a score of 23 out of 100 giving it a rank of 157 out of 180 or the 23^rd most corrupt country on the Index. It had improved by two points since the last survey however.

 

In terms of the Middle East, Iraq was fourth from the bottom only above Syria at 178 out of 180, Yemen at 174, and Libya at 172. Those are all failed states facing on going conflicts, which showed how poorly Iraq was doing in the region.

 

At the other end of the spectrum the United Arab Emirates at 24, Israel at 36, Saudi Arabia at 53, Oman at 56 and Jordan at 58 were at the top of the region.

 

Corruption In The Middle East

United Arab Emirates Score: 69 out of 100, Rank 24

Israel Score 59 out of 100, Rank 36

Saudi Arabia Score 53 out of 100, Rank 52

Oman Score 52 out of 100, Rank 56

Jordan Score 49 out of 100, Rank 58

Tunisia Score 44 out of 100, Rank 70

Kuwait Score 43 out of 100, Rank 73

Morocco Score 39 out of 100, Rank 87

Egypt Score 33 out of 100, Rank Tied 117

Algeria Score 33 out of 100, Rank Tied 117

Iran Score 25 out of 100, Rank 150

Lebanon Score 24 out of 100, Rank 154

Iraq Score 23 out of 100, Rank 157

Libya Score 17 out of 100, rank 172

Yemen Score 16 out of 100, Rank 174

Syria Score 13 out of 100, Rank 178

 

Iraq has slowly been improving on the Index. In 2015 it had a score of 16. That improved to 21 by 2020 and is now at 23. During the war the country was in the bottom five countries in the world.

 

Iraq’s Scores

2021 Score 23

2020 Score 21

2019 Score 20

2018 Score 18

2017 Score 18

2016 Score 17

2015 Score 16

 

Corruption remains part of the status quo however. The ruling parties rely upon corruption to enrich themselves and rule the country. There is therefore no support for doing anything about it other than making announcements.

 

SOURCES

 

Transparency International, “Corruption Perceptions Index 2021,” 1/25/22