Israel Among World's More Honest States

(October 19, 2005)

An independent survey of international businessmen and other experts found that in 1998, Denmark was the least corrupt country and Cameroon the most corrupt. Denmark's score was 9.94 out of 10; Cameroon's score was 1.4. Israel placed 17th (with a score of 7.1) out of 85 nations examined by Berlin-based Transparency International. Corruption is defined by the index as the abuse of public office for private gain.

Ranking just below Denmark were Finland, Sweden, New Zealand and Canada. Other nations ahead of Israel include Holland, Norway, Australia, Singapore, the United States (with a score of 7.5) and Germany. France and Japan were behind Israel. In addition to Cameroon, the countries rated as the most corrupt included Russia, Nigeria, Paraguay, Honduras, Colombia and Venezuela.

In 2005, the index showed that corruption was rampant in more than 70 countries throughout the world. Israel placed 28th with a score of 6.3 out of 159 nations surveyed. Iceland was the least corrupt country in 2005 with a score of 9.7, followed by Finland, New Zealand, and Denmark. The United States placed 17th with a score of 7.6. The most perceived corrupt country in the world was Chad, with a score of 1.7.

Compared to its Middle Eastern neighbors, Israel fared a great deal better. The Palestinian Authority (referred to as “Palestine” in the table) slipped from 78th place in 2003 to 112th in 2005. Jordan only fell one place to 38th, Syria dropped three slots to 76th, Egypt improved five slots to 72nd and Lebanon jumped from 98th place in 2004 to 82nd place this year.