JUBA – South Sudan has been ranked as the most corrupt country in the world in the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) released by Transparency International, highlighting the country’s persistent governance and accountability challenges.
The annual index, published by the Germany-based nonprofit, ranks 180 countries based on perceived public sector corruption, using a scale from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean). South Sudan scored just 8 points, placing it at the bottom of the list, below Somalia, Venezuela, and Syria.
The findings underscore the deep-rooted corruption in South Sudan, which has been struggling with political instability, economic mismanagement, and ongoing humanitarian crises since gaining independence in 2011.
Transparency International said corruption remains a major global problem, with more than two-thirds of the countries surveyed scoring below 50. The organization warned that corruption is not only a governance issue but also a key obstacle to addressing global crises, including climate change.
“The global average on the index has remained unchanged at 43, highlighting the need for urgent action against corruption and warning of a critical global obstacle to implementing successful climate action,” the report stated.
Denmark, Finland, and Singapore were ranked as the world’s least corrupt nations, with scores of 90, 88, and 84, respectively.
South Sudan has consistently ranked among the most corrupt nations since it first appeared in the index. The latest report comes amid growing concerns over financial mismanagement in the country, where billions of dollars in oil revenue and donor funds have reportedly been siphoned off by political elites.
International organizations, including the United Nations and the World Bank, have repeatedly warned that corruption in South Sudan is undermining efforts to stabilize the country, which is preparing for long-delayed elections.
The release of the report has sparked renewed calls for anti-corruption reforms in South Sudan. Civil society groups have urged the government to implement transparency measures and hold officials accountable for misusing public funds.
“The people of South Sudan deserve a government that serves them, not one that robs them,” said an activist from the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO). “This ranking should be a wake-up call for our leaders to take serious action.”
Despite repeated promises by President Salva Kiir’s administration to fight corruption, critics argue that little has been done to address the problem, with high-profile officials rarely held accountable.
The 2024 index also highlighted governance challenges in neighboring countries. Somalia, which ranked second-worst with a score of 9, has been grappling with instability and weak state institutions, while Sudan, locked in a deadly conflict between rival military factions, scored 15.
The report emphasized that corruption is fueling conflict and worsening humanitarian crises in fragile states, making it harder to implement peace agreements and rebuild economies.
With South Sudan’s transition period extended and elections planned for late 2026, analysts warn that failure to curb corruption could further erode public trust and jeopardize the country’s fragile peace process.
