Corruption and economic turmoil often go hand-in-hand. In
western nations like the United States and many European countries, we
often see corruption come to light as the result of
whistleblowers or journalistic efforts. But in many other areas of the world, however, corruption plays a major role in
fostering staggering poverty and broken economic systems in a much more blatant way.
Oftentimes,
specific power structures
and government architectures provide an easier means for corrupt
politicians, businessmen, or military officials to exploit the system.
Many governments have their roots in constitutions from generations ago,
and have outgrown their current systems. Many other countries are ruled
by a variety of independent tribal leaders and often lack a centralized
power structure with any meaningful sway.
Transparency International
developed a comprehensive list of the world’s most corrupt nations last
year, and the countries that top the list probably won’t come as much
of a surprise to many. The study ranks countries on a scale from 0 to
100, with zero being the most corrupt, and 100 being the least.
Of course, corruption comes in a variety of forms, so
getting a precise gauge is difficult. But perception itself is a very
strong tool, and can have a big effect on its own. If the study reveals
anything, it’s that the world overall has a huge issue in terms of
corrupt officials. By looking at the Corruptions Perception Index, along
with the existing power structures and economic systems within each
country, the picture does become a bit clearer. That’s why we dug a
little deeper, examining the rankings for ourselves.
Although not among the top ten, we’ve included the United
States on the list to give perspective as to where America ranks
internationally in terms of corruption and economic strife. By
Transparency International’s calculations and scale, the U.S. is sitting
fairly pretty, although it’s common knowledge that there are definitely
issues with how things are run in Washington. Other countries you might
expect to see like Russia, Mexico, or Venezuela all have their places
as well, and
the full list of 177 nations can be viewed straight at the source from Transparency International.
Here are the most corrupt nations in the world, as ranked by
Transparency International, with additional insight into the issues and
factors plaguing each one.
10. Eritrea
- Corruption score: 18
- Power structure: Single-Party Presidential Democracy
Eritrea is a new entrant onto the list this year, having vaulted from
number 25 to number 10 in 2014. Many people may have never even heard
of Eritrea, let alone be aware of the corruption issues the country
faces. Eritrea is located in Africa, bordering the Red Sea directly
across from Saudi Arabia, bordering Djibouti to the south and Sudan to
the north. Eritrea is a small and relatively poor country, with
a GDP of only $3.44 billion, and a population of 6.3 million.
9. Libya
- Corruption score: 18
- Power structure: Transitional
Few nations have experienced as much turmoil over the past few years
as Libya. The country’s government saw its downfall during a mass
uprising and protest, which ultimately led to protestors parading around
with the body of former president Muammar Gaddafi on the streets. The
country’s fall was a part of the ‘Arab Spring’, which also saw mass
protests in Syria, Egypt and Bahrain, among others.
Now, Libya is still embroiled in turmoil. No formal government has
taken root, and fighting between rebels and those loyal to the old
administration is still taking place. Due to the high levels of
uncertainty, the country’s GDP contracted 9.4 percent during 2013,
according to The World Bank.
The power vacuum has left open a great opportunity for arms dealers and
corrupt military higher-ups to take charge and make profits by pitting
citizens against each other.
8. Uzbekistan
- Corruption score: 18
- Power structure: Republic
One of the lesser-traveled nations in the world, Uzbekistan finds
itself as one of the world’s messiest countries. From an economic
standpoint, things appear to be going alright with 8% growth in GDP
during 2013. In fact,
information from The World Bank indicates
the economy of Uzbekistan has remained more or less the same through
the financial crisis which has crippled systems in Europe and North
America.
7. Turkmenistan
- Corruption score: 17
- Power structure: Presidential Democracy/Authoritarian
Turkmenistan resides in a dangerous neighborhood, to say the least.
Bordered by Iran, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan to the north,
the country lies in a virtual hotbed of corrupt states. With the
constant turmoil all over the Middle East, it’s been very easy for the
country to fall into corrupt affairs, especially concentrated at the top
from the authoritarian presidential figure, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow.
6. Iraq
- Corruption score: 16
- Power structure: Federal Parliamentary Constitutional Republic (ostensibly)
Many people may be surprised that Iraq isn’t higher on the list of
the world’s most corrupt countries, but its certainly up there. It’s no
secret the current state of affairs in Iraq is a total mess. After the
second American invasion in 15 years, the pullout of U.S. forces has
left Iraq a virtual power vacuum, with several different sects fighting
for power over the embattled nation. Fighting is mostly concentrated
between the Kurds, the Shiites and the Sunnis, but the arrival of ISIS
from Syria has added additional issues.
The CIA lists Iraq’s government as a parliamentary democracy, but the
legitimacy of the government is definitely up for debate. And there’s
definitely little debate as to whether or not corruption has taken hold
in the country, as Iraq’s vast wealth and natural resources have made it
a target for all kinds of industry and war profiteers.
5. South Sudan
- Corruption score: 15
- Power structure: Republic
One of the world’s youngest countries, South Sudan officially
declared independence in 2011, following long-standing conflicts with
its parent country, Sudan, which gained its independence in 1956.
Between the mid-1950s and now, conflicts in the region have resulted in
the deaths of as many as 2.5 million people,
or so the CIA contends. South Sudan now stands as an independent republic, composed of 10 states.
4. Afghanistan
- Corruption score: 12
- Power structure: Islamic Republic
Afghanistan has an incredibly difficult history to try and
condense. The area has been inhabited for a very long time — and its
geographic location has also put it in the middle of many conflicts over
hundreds, if not thousands of years. There’s a reason the country has
been stuck with the nickname ‘the graveyard of empires’, as it is
incredibly difficult to not only conquer, but to keep under control.
The country has been loosely held together by a central
government that largely lacks power, and has been carved up by a myriad
of local tribal leaders and warlords, as we’ve seen first-hand with the
Taliban and Al-Qaeda. The country’s now-former president Hamid Karzai
was notoriously corrupt — he’s been recently busted for taking bagfuls
of money from the American military, among other things. Afghanistan is
also home to an enormous amount of the world’s heroin production, which
has brought lots of wealth to a lucky few.
3. Sudan
- Corruption score: 11
- Power structure: Federal Republic
One country that has been wrapped thoroughly in the grasp of
war for many years is the African nation of Sudan. Long-standing
conflicts between competing factions and ethnic groups have destabilized
the country’s ability to efficiently operate from an economic
standpoint, and the result has been devastating to many of the country’s
citizens. South Sudan has also recently broken-off from the rest of the
country, taking with it vast oil reserves.
CNN reports that Sudan’s GDP was expected to contract by a fair amount due to South Sudan’s departure.
The country’s government is listed as a federal republic, which is ruled by the National Congress Party,
according to the CIA.
The NCP came to power after a coup d’etat in 1989, and has not been
able to successfully repair the nation’s issues. As a result of the
prolonged instability, Sudan’s GDP has tanked since spiking in 2006,
much of which has to do with the situation in South Sudan.
64.5% of Sudan’s citizens live under the poverty line,
by The World Bank’s calculations.
The nation’s GDP stands at $66.55 billion as well. Both of these
statistics would likely see improvement if not for some of the draconian
and growth-inhibiting policies of the NCP. Also, if Sudan can find a
way to rid itself of some of its corrupt officials, many violent
conflicts could possibly see resolution as well.
Tie – 1. North Korea
- Corruption score: 8
- Power structure: Dictatorship
The world’s biggest wildcard is North Korea. There is little doubt in
anyone’s mind that the country is immensely corrupt, having been
effectively run into the ground over the past half-century by Kim Jong
Sun, Kim Jong Il and now Kim Jung Un, all of whom the country’s citizens
affectionately have referred to as ‘Supreme Leader’.
The CIA lists North Korea’s government as a ‘communist state one-man dictatorship’, with an estimated GDP of $28 billion as of 2009.
Notorious for having very little electricity and sending its citizens
to prison camps, North Korea’s government and economy are effectively
shrouded in mystery. While it does receive aid from countries like
China, North Korea obviously has had problems producing enough fuel and
food to properly care for its citizens. Military spending far outweighs
spending on social programs and aid, mostly to put on appearances for
the rest of the world in their famous outbursts of saber-rattling, and
to keep citizens in line.
Tie – 1. Somalia
- Corruption score: 8
- Power structure: Almost none; “in the process of building a federal parliamentary republic” – CIA
Somalia may just be the most unstable country on the entire planet.
The country has become infamous in the United States as being the
setting for the Blackhawk Down incident, as well as the country’s
pirates who are known to take over passing ships in the Gulf of Aden and
Indian Ocean. The country is barely held together by an incredibly
loose central government, and is more accurately being run by a number
of competing clans and warlords, creating lots of hostility and
division.
Life in Somalia is notoriously tough. On the economic front, many
people make a living from raising livestock or farming, and others from
fishing. Of course, with things remaining such a mess at the top of the
power structure, any long-term planning for social programs and
infrastructure is difficult.
According to The World Bank,
only 29% of the country’s population has been enrolled in school, and
life expectancy is only 55 years. Both of these numbers rank well-below
most other countries, and provide some insight into the internal strife
the country is experiencing.
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