Corruption Perceptions Index

• The CPI ranks 180 countries and territories globally, from highly corrupt (=0) to very clean (=100).
• The CPI uses 9 different sources to measure perceptions of public sector corruption in Zambia, so that it provides a comprehensive result that provides more balance than any one single source. It is based on surveys of businesspeople and experts.
• The 4-point improvement in our score is due to improvements in some of the individual data sources used to measure the CPI; have a look at the slides on the right to know more about which specific types of corruption were addressed more effectively in 2023.
• The improvement in our score is positive, but it still falls below 50: there is a lot of work left to do.
• For this improvement to become significant, it cannot remain an isolated episode. We need to observe the same positive trend in the next years.

In the slides to the right, we look also at some of the recommendations that can help us further sustain our positive performance in the fight against corruption.

• In 2023, most countries have still made little to no progress in tackling public sector corruption. Over two-thirds of countries score below 50 out of 100, which strongly indicates serious corruption problems, and the list of countries that have improved their score is still shorter than that of the countries which have seen a decline in the CPI score.
• Governments are largely failing to stop corruption – over 80 per cent of the world’s population lives in countries with CPI scores below the global average of 43.
• The global trend of weakening justice systems is reducing accountability for public officials, which allows corruption to thrive. Authoritarian and also many democratic leaders undermining justice are increasing impunity for corruption, and even encouraging it by eliminating consequences for criminals.

In the words of Transparency International’s Chair, François Valérian, “Corruption will continue to thrive until justice systems can punish wrongdoing and keep governments in check. When justice is bought or politically interfered with, it is the people that suffer”.

• 90% of Sub-Saharan countries scored below 50.
• The picture for Sub-Saharan Africa this year shows somehow mixed results. The region still detains the unfortunate record of worst performing region globally, with an average CPI score of 33 out of 100
• The picture for Sub-Saharan Africa this year shows somehow mixed results. The region still detains the unfortunate record of worst performing region globally, with an average CPI score of 33 out of 100
• 90% of Sub-Saharan countries scored below 50.
• Only 8 countries out of 49 have significantly improved their score in the last 10 years.
• But some positive developments have been observed. In 2023, a record 5 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa achieved their highest ever CPI score, including Seychelles (71), the top performer on the continent, and our neighbour Tanzania, at 40.
• Another neighbouring country, Angola, detains the record for the highest recent multi-year improvement globally, jumping up 14 places since 2018.
• For the first time in ten years Zambia has improved its score: from 33 to 37.