Tuesday, January 30 2024 12:37

ArmInfo.Armenia ranks 62nd on the CPI published by Transparency International. 

In 2023, Armenia's CPI value improved by 1 point compared to 2022 -  47 against 46 respectively on a scale from 0 (absolutely corrupt) to  100 (absolutely clean). Considering the fact that the size of the  standard error of Armenia's 2023 CPI measurement, which is equal to  2.54 (in 2022 it was equal to 2.47), is greater than the increase in  the CPI value (1 point), it can be argued that this change is not  statistically significant or within the statistical error.

In the two years following the 2018 Velvet Revolution, Armenia (47)  experienced significant democratic and anti-corruption reforms.  However, progress against corruption has stalled, primarily due to  the limited implementation of these new measures. Despite facing  challenging security threats - like many countries in the region -  Armenia has the potential to navigate such difficulties and turn  strong policies into better control of corruption.

Several high-ranking democracies, including Sweden (CPI score: 82),  Netherlands (79), Iceland (72) and the United Kingdom (71), have  recorded their lowest-ever scores. Notably, the UK has experienced a  six- point decrease over the past five years. Denmark (90), Finland  (87) and Norway (84) top the CPI ranking.

Across the region, many governments control the judiciary and law  enforcement institutions to maintain impunity for corruption for  those in their privileged circles. For Georgia (53) and countries in  the Western Balkans, these persistent practices stand in the way of  European Union membership. This is also the case for Moldova (42) and  Ukraine (36), although these countries are making substantial reforms  to their justice systems.

Ranking at the bottom in the region, Azerbaijan (23), Tajikistan (20)  and Turkmenistan (18) continue to struggle with severe corruption  issues. Authoritarian control over state institutions by ruling  elites has firmly taken root, with corruption being used to sustain  power and evade accountability. The low scores of these countries  reflect systemic governance deficits and a lack of independent  oversight, where corruption erodes various levels of society and  state, while undermining civic and political rights.

Turkey's (34) steep decline of 8 points since 2015 is due to an  overly dominant executive branch and few democratic checks and  balances. Insufficient laws against corruption, reluctance to enforce  these laws and lack of judicial independence stand in the way of  progress. The tragic consequences of the February 2023 earthquake  showed how the price of corruption is sometimes paid in human lives.