France has come 27th place out of 182 in a new ranking on national corruption levels, putting it in a better position than the US, but behind the UK, Germany, and many other European democracies.
The new Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2025 was published by global civil society NGO Transparency International today (February 11, 2026). It uses a scale of 0 to 100, with 100 meaning “very clean” and 0 “highly corrupt”, and investigates business experts and leaders to help compile its ranking.
France came in 27th place, with a score of 66 out of 100. It dropped from 25th place in the ranking in the 2024 CPI.
This puts France above the global average of 42, but behind most other European democracies.
Global corruption perceptions index scores by country - with darker red areas indicating higher perceived corruptionVisActu / Transparency International / ConnexionFrance
France fared worse than:
Denmark (89 out of 100, 1st place)
Finland (88, 2nd)
Sweden (80, 6th)
Germany (77, 10th)
UK (70, 20th)
Advertisement
France scored better than:
USA (64, 29th)
Israel (62, 35th)
The top five nations were:
Denmark (89, 1st place)
Finland (88, 2nd)
Singapore (84, 3rd)
New Zealand (81, joint 4th)
Norway (81, joint 4th)
France figures have ‘feeling of impunity’
Transparency International said that France lost points for:
It also said that France was seeing “a growing mistrust of institutions” and was not transparent enough on public decision-making.
‘Concerning picture…even in established democracies’
Notable European and developed / democratic nations to score relatively low include:
Greece: 50 out of 100, ranking position 56th out of 182
Malta: 49, 60th
Romania: 45, 70th
South Africa: 41, 81st
India: 39, 91st
Transparency International warned of increased risk of corruption worldwide, even among democracies that scored relatively highly.
It said: “We are seeing a concerning picture of long-term decline in leadership to tackle corruption. Even established democracies, like the US, UK, and New Zealand, are experiencing a drop in performance.
“The absence of bold leadership is leading to weaker standards and enforcement, lowering ambition on anti-corruption efforts around the world.”
At a time of climate crisis, instability and polarisation, the world needs accountable leaders and independent institutions to protect the public interest more than ever – yet, too often, they are falling short,” said Maíra Martini, CEO of Transparency International.
“We are calling on governments and leaders to act with integrity and live up to their responsibilities to provide a better future for their citizens.”
Most corrupt nations
South Sudan and Somalia came in joint last place in the ranking (out of 182 countries), with a score of nine out of 100.
Venezuela came in next-bottom, with a score of 10; Libya, Yemen, and Eritrea came next, in joint 177th position, with a score of 13.
Other major poor-scoring nations were:
Russia (22 out of 100, 157th place)
Iran (23, 153rd)
Mexico (27, 141st)
Turkey (31, 124th)
Brazil (35, 107th).
‘Reform needed’
When publishing the ranking, Transparency International concluded: “[The CPI] shows that corruption remains a serious threat in every part of the world, although there are limited signs of progress.
“Leaders must act to tackle abuses of power and the wider factors driving this decline, such as the roll-back of democratic checks and balances, and attacks on independent civil society.
“Anti-government protests in many parts of the world show that people are fed up with unaccountable leadership and are demanding reform.”
It added: “At the same time, many states are increasing restrictions on civic space. By making it hard or dangerous for citizens, NGOs and journalists to challenge abuses of power, they are reducing transparency and accountability. This allows corruption to flourish.”
‘Progress is possible’
The CPI did offer some hope, however.
The summary stated: “It does not have to be this way. Our research and experience as a global movement fighting corruption show there is a clear blueprint for how to hold power to account for the common good. Progress is possible.”
It recommended:
Action to strengthen justice systems
Enhancing the oversight of public services and spending
Keeping secret money out of elections
Protecting civic space, democracy and media freedom
Closing the secrecy loopholes that “let corrupt money move across borders”
Transparency International was founded in Berlin in 1993, and calls itself a global, civil, non-governmental, independent coalition. It seeks to advocate for policy change, conduct relevant research, campaign against corruption, and hold leaders and public figures to account.
