TIRANA, Jan. 25 – Perceived corruption in Western Balkans is high, according to an annual ranking of Transparency International (TI), comparing the levels of corruption around the world.
The annual global Corruption Index, released by Transparency International, noted that Albania and Kosovo are the two countries in Western Balkans that have improved their rankings.
The survey which ranks some 176 countries on a 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean) scale awarded Albania a score of 39 points up from 36 points in 2015. Albania ranked in the 83th spot among other countries up from the 88th place in 2015.
Kosovo on the other hand went up eight spots from last year rankings climbing to the 95th place. Last year, Kosovo ranked at the 105th spot. Nevertheless, Transparency International notes that perceived corruption in Kosovo is the highest in the region.
Macedonia has moved 24 positions down, ranking at the 90th place from 66th place last year.
Bosnia and Herzegovina rating has deteriorated as well, as the country lost 7 spot, sharing the 83th place with Albania.
Transparency International moved Serbia moved one position down in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) survey for 2016, ranking 72nd.
According to the report, Hungary and Croatia are ‘new face of corruption’ in Europe joining the ranks of the worst performers in the EU alongside Bulgaria (41), Greece (44), Italy (47), and Romania (48).
Denmark has reclaimed its place as the world’s cleanest country with a score of 90 followed by Finland is and Sweden. Some of the most corrupt countries in the world are Somalia, South Sudan and North Korea.
Transparency International said that political leaders and their ties to wealthy businessmen and organized crime have a huge influence in all public sectors in Western Balkans.
Furthermore, the report also noted weaknesses in combating and preventing corruption which leads to weaker justice and law enforcement in these countries.
