South Africa has steadily improved its status on the transparency index, coming first among BRICS nations [GCIS]
Denmark and New Zealand tied for first place as the world’s “cleanest” nations in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index 2016.
Both received 90 on a 0-100 scale, but Transparency International says most countries of the 176 in the index fall below the midpoint on the scale.
The index and results for 2016 underscore the connection between corruption and inequality. Transparency International says that these two factors “feed off each other to create a vicious circle between corruption, unequal distribution of power in society, and unequal distribution of wealth”.
In too many countries, people are deprived of their most basic needs and go to bed hungry every night because of corruption, while the powerful and corrupt enjoy lavish lifestyles with impunity.”
– José Ugaz, Chair of Transparency International.
Among BRICS countries, South Africa fared the best in 64th place, but its score at 45 is still below the midpoint. Nevertheless, South Africa has improved its score steadily from 42 since 2012.
Brazil, China and India are tied at 79th place with a score of 40; Brazil and China have had scores fluctuate up and down since 2012. But India has made consistent gains in the score from 36 in 2012.
Russia came in at 131st place with a score of 29, well below the global average of 43.
The BRICS Post with inputs from Agencies
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