A prominent corruption watchdog declared on Tuesday that worldwide attempts to address corruption in the public sector are slowing down or even regressing in certain areas due to ongoing conflicts and ineffective legal systems.

Transparency International’s yearly report, based in Berlin, presents a bleak outlook by uncovering that the majority of countries have made little to no advancements in addressing corruption.

The company stated that both authoritarian governments and democratic leaders who undermine justice are responsible for the rise of corruption and may even condone it by removing consequences for those who commit wrongdoing. This leads to increased impunity for corrupt acts.

According to Transparency International, Ukraine has made significant strides in fighting corruption by implementing changes to its justice system and strengthening its anti-corruption agency, despite also facing conflict with Russia.

In the Corruption Perceptions Index of the organization, Ukraine’s ranking improved from 122 out of 180 countries in 2021 to 116 in 2022 and 104 in 2023.

However, according to the report, the war provided a breeding ground for corruption which could potentially undo the progress made in promoting transparency and accountability on a global scale.

According to data from the Kiel Institute, the United States and its Western allies have provided Ukraine with over $100 billion in military, humanitarian, and financial aid since Russia’s invasion in February 2022.

Anti-corruption efforts face significant obstacles due to ongoing armed conflicts in multiple countries in the Middle East.

According to Marko Kovacevic, a spokesperson for Transparency International, new findings have revealed instances of corrupt behavior, such as demanding “fees” at the border from individuals escaping from war zones. This not only affects the most vulnerable individuals, but also perpetuates inequality and reinforces existing power dynamics. Kovacevic shared this information with VOA via email.

Least, most corrupt

According to Transparency International, Denmark has maintained its position as the least corrupt country in the world for six consecutive years. Finland and New Zealand also rank highly on the index, followed closely by Norway and Singapore.

The European’s success in fighting corruption is attributed to high levels of prosperity, education, and open governance.

For two consecutive years, Somalia has remained at the bottom of the ranking. Venezuela, Syria, and South Sudan are also at the lowest position, indicating ongoing issues with corruption in their public sectors.

Although Europe is typically considered the most honest continent, there are indications that its anti-corruption ranking may be weakening. In the past two years, multiple European nations such as Sweden, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom have experienced a decline in their rankings.

For the second year in a row, the United States was ranked 24th on the index.

In just one year, China’s ranking has fallen drastically from 65th to 76th, resulting in a decrease in its position as the world’s second-largest economy and second-most populous country.

According to reports, Afghanistan has experienced a significant increase in corruption under the Taliban, resulting in a drop in its ranking from 150 in 2022 to 162 in 2023.