According to Transparency International, which records perceptions about corruption in the country, Ukraine scored 33 and Russia 30 out of 100 (2020). This means that in the eyes of citizens corruption in Russia is higher than in Ukraine.

Things are getting better, but far from good

New Zealand and Denmark are the countries that are on top of the rating as the least corrupt with the score of 88 out of 100. Singapore, Finland, Sweden, and Switzerland scored 85 points and share the third place.

• Ukraine scored 33 points (up 3 points from the last year). It’s on the same level as Egypt, Nepal, Swaziland, Zambia: #117 out of 180 countries.
• Russia scored less (30) points, which puts it at #129.
• Belarus scored 47 points and is at #63.

All these 3 post-USSR republics improved their positions as compared to 2019 rating.

Somalia and South Sudan are at the very bottom of the rating with 12 points. Syria scored 14 points.

Transparency International compiles the index since 1995 with the assistance of various expert assessments and surveys.

In the recent release of the index that outlines results of 2020, authors pointed out that “persistent corruption is undermining health care systems”, which weakens response to pandemic and creates additional challenges for governments.

Although no country is free from corruption, there are ways to reduce such problems, the report points out: Strengthening of oversight institutions, transparent contracting, defending democracy and holding governments accountable, and access to information along with publication of data.

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