Newsroom
Cyprus has made progress in its fight against corruption, according to Transparency International's 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI). The island improved its score by 3 points, reaching 56 out of 100 and climbing to 46th place among 180 countries. This marks the second consecutive year of improvement for Cyprus, following a 1-point gain in 2023. However, Cyprus’ score still remains below its peak performance of 66 in 2012, and it recorded its lowest score of 52 in 2022.
According to Kathimerini's Dorita Yiannakou, compared to other nations, Cyprus is perceived as less corrupt than Italy, Poland, Greece, Slovakia, Croatia, Malta, Romania, Bulgaria, and Hungary, but on par with countries like the Czech Republic, Grenada, and Spain.
While these improvements indicate progress, Cyprus still faces challenges. Key reforms, including the creation of the Single Supervisory Authority (SSA) and the National Sanctions Enforcement Unit (NSEU), are ongoing. These authorities are expected to address corruption-related issues and strengthen the country’s reputation, with the CMA slated for completion in summer 2025 and the JCC expected to follow. Foreign officials have urged for swift action in establishing these bodies, particularly to regulate companies offering specialized services.
Despite the positive trend in Cyprus, the global picture is troubling. More than two-thirds of countries scored below 50 on the CPI, with an overall global average of just 43. Even traditionally strong performers like Sweden and Norway saw their lowest scores ever. The report highlights a worrying trend of poor performance across many European countries.
The Cyprus Integrity Forum (CIF), a leading anti-corruption NGO in Cyprus, views the improved CPI score as evidence that anti-corruption measures are becoming more effective and that public awareness of transparency issues is rising. However, CIF cautions against complacency, urging all stakeholders to continue fighting corruption and promoting ethical practices across society.
At the top of the CPI rankings are Denmark, Finland, and Singapore, with scores of 90, 88, and 84, respectively. Cyprus’ neighbor Greece, however, remains stagnant, with a score of 49, ranking 59th—unchanged from last year.
At the bottom of the rankings are countries with ongoing conflicts or weak democratic institutions, including South Sudan, Somalia, and Venezuela, all scoring below 10.
