US no longer in top 20 least corrupt countries in the world

The last time the US dropped off the top 20 list was in 2011

By Clark Mindock

February 10, 2019 "Information Clearing House" - The United States has dropped out of the top 20 list of “cleanest countries”, according to an annual survey that ranks countries based on corruption.

The US saw its ranking on the closely watched annual survey drop as a result of threats to its constitutional system of checks and balances. Overall, the US dropped to a score of 71, from 75 in 2017.

The ranking means that the US dropped out of the top 20 nations on the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) for the first time since 2011.

“A four point drop in the CPI score is a red flag and comes at a time when the US is experiencing threats to its system of checks and balance, as well as an erosion of ethical norms at the highest levels of power,” the organisation, which is based in Berlin, said in a statement.

“If this trend continues, it would indicate a serious corruption problem in a country that has taken a lead on the issue globally — this is a bipartisan issue that requires a bipartisan solution”, the statement said.

The watchdog group ranks countries on a scale of zero to 100, with the higher number indicating a very clean government.

All told, more than two-thirds of the countries in the survey scored below 50 points.

Due to attack by trolls it is necessary to register to comment on articles. We ask that you post comments if you have information that confirms or challenges the information or opinion offered in the article. Please provide links to information that supports your views.  It is not acceptable to make personal attacks on either the author or other members of the ICH community, doing so will result in cancellation of your posting privileges'.