Serbia ranks 105th out of 180 countries in the world list of the Corruption Perceptions Index

For the eighth year in a row, Serbia continued to decline in the global ranking of countries by perception corruption in the public sector, in the ranking for 2024. The corruption perception index was 35, so it took the 105th position, out of 180 countries, which is the worst since 2012, when the current ranking methodology was applied, she announced Transparency Serbia (TS).

In the region, only BiH is higher on the list than Serbia. In Europe, only Belarus and the aforementioned Bosnia and Herzegovina are "higher" than Serbia on this list.

According to the results of the global network Transparency International, Serbia has a one point worse index and one place worse position than the previous year.

180 countries and territories were ranked, on a scale where the range of scores is from 0 to 100, and with an index of eight, South Sudan is the worst ranked, and Denmark is the best with an index of 90.

This year, Serbia shares the 105th position with Ukraine, and of the countries in the region, only Bosnia and Herzegovina is worse, with an index of 33.

Albania, with which Serbia was ranked two years ago, now has an index of 42, North Macedonia 40, Hungary 41, Bulgaria 43, and Montenegro and Romania 46, while Croatia has an index of 47. Kosovo, which is ranked separately, has a score of 44.

Within the former SFRY, Slovenia is still the best placed with an index of 60, four points better than last year.

It was also stated that Serbia's position, in relation to the number of ranked countries, is the worst since 2005, when Serbia and Montenegro was in 97th place out of 158 ranked countries.

It is added that the last two rankings, when the rating for Serbia was approximately equal to the global average, were in 2013 and 2016.

Although Serbia, according to the data of the "Economist Intelligence Unit" for the year 2023, is among the countries with "deficient democracy", its index is two points lower than the average of countries in which a "hybrid regime" has been established, one step lower, while countries with deficient democracy have an average of 47.

First on the list is Denmark, followed by Finland and Singapore

As recalled in the announcement, with the recently adopted Strategy for the fight against corruption, the Government of Serbia predicted that the Corruption Perception Index, as an indicator of the impact of achieving the general goal of the Strategy, will increase from 36 in 2023 to 43 by 2028.

It was pointed out that this is the global average, from which Serbia is now eight points behind.

The average score on the European continent is 56, and among EU members 62.

After the first-placed Denmark, the list is followed by Finland (88) and Singapore (84), which was overtaken by New Zealand (83).

As stated, there are no major changes at the bottom of the table, so South Sudan has an index of eight, Somalia nine, Venezuela 10, and Syria 12.

It was also assessed that membership in the EU is not a guarantee of good results, as shown by the scores of neighboring countries, so Hungary had a drop of one point to 41, Bulgaria (43, a drop of two points), Romania (46, the same as CPI 2023) and Croatia (47, a drop of three points).

In the EU, Malta (from 51 to 46), Slovakia (from 54 to 49), Spain (from 60 to 56) and Portugal (from 61 to 57) recorded a significant decline.

Among the former socialist countries of Europe, Estonia is by far the best placed with a score of 76, and among non-EU countries it is still Georgia (although the index continues to fall, from 56 to 54, and to 2024 in 53).

From Transparency Serbia, they stated that when creating the Corruption Perception Index, 13 relevant surveys that measure the perception of corruption in the public sector are taken into account.

These surveys represent the opinion or impression that those who do business with them or who advise businessmen, governments and international institutions have about the corruption of state officials and public servants.

What is involved in research

Research must be published within the last 24 months and there must be at least three such data sources for a country/territory to be ranked.

This year, Serbia was included in a total of eight relevant studies, which guarantees a high degree of reliability of the findings.

The comparability of the data with those from earlier years is at an even higher level - 12 years ago, because the same seven sources of information are used for the Corruption Perception Index, and in the last seven years, identical eight, it was stated in the announcement.

It was specified that the findings of Global Insight Country Risk Ratings, Bertelsmann Foundation, World Economic Forum, Economist Intelligence Unit, Freedom House, International Country Risk Guide, World Justice Project Rule of Law Index and Varieties of Democracy Project were used for Serbia.

Of the research that is relevant for Serbia, in three cases the data was collected in 2024, in three researches during 2023, in one case in both years, while one research, completed in 2024, was conducted over a longer period.

Of the eight original surveys, on the basis of which the Corruption Perception Index for 2024 was created for Serbia, the score was slightly better in four, while in the remaining half the score was worse, which prevailed.

Democratic institutions are weakening, and the rule of law is deteriorating

In one case, a significant deterioration was noted - a survey among company managers for the needs of the World Economic Forum.

In the regional report for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Transparency International stated that, among other things, in many countries, democratic institutions are weakening, and the rule of law is deteriorating, due to internal instability and external pressures.

Serbia "under the microscope"

This allows corruption to flourish while undermining public trust and sustainable development.

The regional report singles out Serbia as one of the countries "under scrutiny", the announcement reads.

"Serbia (35) continues to decline on the Corruption Perceptions Index, while the dominance of the executive power and the exposure of institutions to corruption are growing under the rigid control of President Aleksandar Vučić," the announcement reads.

It is added that the reactions of the authorities after the collapse of the canopy at the reconstructed train station in Novi Sad, when 15 people died, caused mass protests across the country, where responsibility is demanded, and corruption is put in focus, and in an attempt to calm the crisis, Vučić approved the publication of many documents about the renovation of the station.

Data from certain documents, as well as the non-transparent selection of subcontractors, further fueled suspicions that the project was overestimated, Transparency stated.

They also reminded that three months after the event, the Novi Sad public prosecutor announced for the first time that allegations of possible corruption would be investigated.

The Government of Serbia also relies heavily on interstate agreements and special laws without appropriate anti-corruption controls in connection with the EXPO exhibition and other projects planned until 2027, the value of which is estimated at 18,5 billion dollars, Transpentnost Serbia stated in a statement.

Source: Beta