Latvia’s score, compared to the previous year, has slightly improved. graft watchdog Transparency International said in a survey today. Last year, Latvia scored 49 on the “Corruption Perceptions Index” and was ranked 54th of the 177 countries surveyed. This year, Latvia’s score is 53 and the country shares 49th spot with Costa Rica and Ruanda.
Afghanistan, North Korea and Somalia are seen as the world’s most corrupt countries while Denmark and New Zealand are nearly squeaky-clean. Estonia is still well ahead of Latvia with a score of 68, ranking 28th. Lithuania’s score is 57 and the country is ranked 43rd.
Worldwide, almost 70 percent of nations are thought to have a “serious problem” with public servants on the take, and none of the 177 countries surveyed this year got a perfect score, said the Berlin-based non-profit group.
Transparency International’s annual list is the most widely used indicator of sleaze in political parties, police, justice systems and civil services, a scourge which undermines development and the fight against poverty.
Source: LETA - AFP
http://www.leta.lv/eng/home/important/7FD1B0C4-5AFE-41A3-ACF8-23ABCB76E21D/