Denmark ranked as the least corrupt country, but which is the most corrupt?

Following the release of the World Justice Project’s Rule of Law Index 2014, Denmark has been named as the least corrupt and fair country.

Other countries which feature in the top four are also Scandinavian with Norway (2^nd), Sweden (3^rd) and Finland (4^th).

The report, which ranks 99 countries around the world, scores key factors in each country to establish an overall score for opportunity and equity – which identifies the countries with the highest and lowest levels of corruption. 47 indicators are used when determining the overall score for each country which are arranged into 9 themes, including constraints on government powers, absence of corruption, fundamental rights and the justice system.

The remainder of the top ten include Netherlands, New Zealand, Austria, Australia, Germany and Singapore.

Slightly more surprising is the UK featuring at 12th and the United States only at 19^th – with its perceived failings in the criminal justice system significantly contributing to a relatively low score.

Most corrupt nations

Of other major superpowers, China’s position of 76^th is due to the low scores for the constraints of government powers and also fundamental rights of the people. Russia (80^th), is deemed to be two places better than Iran (82^nd) and only four above Sierra Leone (84).

With African and South American countries occupying the majority of the lower places, the report highlights the areas where each country could improve.

Zimbabwe (97^th), Afghanistan (98^th) and Venezuela (99^th) prop up the table.

Below is the ranking of the 99 countries.

 To see the full rankings, and for an interactive tool, please visit the WJP Rule of Law Index 2014 website.