Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2025 has once again placed South Sudan near the bottom of global rankings, scoring 9 out of 100 and tying with Somalia as one of the most corrupt countries surveyed.

The index, which assesses perceived levels of public sector corruption across 182 countries and territories on a scale from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean), ranks South Sudan at 181 out of 182—marking a slight improvement of +1 from the previous year but still reflecting deeply entrenched systemic corruption.

The report highlights that in conflict-affected and repressive contexts like South Sudan and Somalia (both 9/100), corruption is “systemic and deeply entrenched,” with severe impacts on development, human security, and public services.

It points to weakened checks and balances, shrinking civic space, and politicized justice systems as key drivers of persistently low scores.

Sub-Saharan Africa performed poorly overall, with an average regional score of 32/100—the lowest globally.

Declines and stagnation dominated the continent, underscoring that anti-corruption efforts have largely failed to yield results.

Only a handful of African nations showed progress: Seychelles (68/100) leads as a regional standout through investments in justice institutions and credible enforcement, while Senegal (46/100) and Côte d’Ivoire (43/100) demonstrated incremental gains where reforms were protected.

The CPI 2025 emphasizes a clear link between corruption, restricted civic space, and democratic backsliding.

Countries with pressured media freedom and civil society are far more likely to see corruption worsen.

Globally, the average score fell to a new low of 42, with 122 countries scoring below 50 and only five above 80 (led by Denmark, Finland, Singapore, and New Zealand).

Transparency International cautions that progress against corruption is possible but “neither automatic nor inevitable.”

Where reforms are piecemeal, politicized, or lack citizen oversight, gains stall or reverse.

Strong institutions, protected civic space, and credible accountability mechanisms remain essential foundations for sustainable development and democratic resilience.

The CPI draws on perceptions from experts and businesspeople via 13 independent data sources, including the World Bank, World Economic Forum, and various risk consultancies.

It does not measure actual corruption incidents but perceived levels in the public sector.

The methodology is periodically reviewed for robustness, with the most recent assessment by the European Commission Joint Research Centre in 2021.

South Sudan’s persistently low ranking aligns with ongoing challenges including conflict, weak governance, oil revenue mismanagement, and limited institutional accountability—issues that continue to undermine humanitarian efforts and economic recovery in the world’s youngest nation.