In the most recent Transparency International (TI) global Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2019, Lithuania received a score of 60 on a 100-point scale, ranking 35th out of 180 countries. Lithuania is currently 15th out of 28 European Union (EU) countries, compared to 18th last year.
Lithuania‘s score has changed for the first time in five years – in 2015-2018 it scored 59 points.
Globally, the first place is shared by Denmark (87 points) and New Zealand (87 points). Estonia scored 74 points and is ranked 18th (in 2018 – 73 points and 18th place), Latvia scored 56 points and is in 44th place (last year – 58 points and 41st), Poland- 58 points and 41st place (last year – 60 points and 36th), Belarus – 45 points and 66th place (last year – 44 points and 70th), Russia – 28 points and 137th place (last year – 28 points and 138th).
“I am glad we are slowly getting rid of the label of a country where it pays-off to be corrupt. We have been successful at curbing bribery. Now it’s important to focus on high-level corruption and nepotism, to increase transparency in politics and open up the public sector.” – said Sergejus Muravjovas, CEO of Transparency International Lithuania.
The Corruption Perceptions Index is one of the world’s most famous anti-corruption surveys, which ranks countries and territories based on how effectively they are able to manage corruption. The score of a country or territory reflects the perceived level of corruption on a scale of 0 to 100, where 0 indicates that a country is perceived as highly corrupt, whereas 100 means that it is perceived as very clean. The level of corruption in the public and government sectors is evaluated by various experts and business leaders.
TI Lithuania reminds that the current Government has decided to measure its success in the fight against corruption based on the CPI. The Programme of the Government states that in 2020, Lithuania should receive a score of 70. In addition, the National Anti-corruption Programme of the Republic of Lithuania, adopted in 2015, states that in 2019 Lithuania should score at least 65 points.
The following sources were used in determining Lithuania’s CPI 2019: 1. Bertelsmann Stiftung Sustainable Governance Indicators; 2. Bertelsmann Stiftung Transformation Index; 3. Economist Intelligence Unit Country Service; 4. Freedom House Nations in Transit; 5. Global Insight Country Risk Ratings; 6. IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook; 7. The PRS Group International Country Risk Guide; 8. Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem); 9. World Economic Forum Executive Opinion Survey.
Detailed results can be found here (in Lithuanian) and here (in English).
More information: Sergejus Muravjovas, sergejus@transparency.lt
For questions on methodology, please contact Roberto Kukutschka from the Transparency International Secretariat: press@transparency.org, +49 30 3438 20 66