Asia Pacific is struggling to improve anti-corruption efforts, according to an index by Berlin-based non-government organization Transparency International, which is undermining the global health response to the pandemic. 

Asia Pacific as a whole scored 45 out of 50, according to Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index (CPI), which combines data from surveys and assessments from 12 independent institutions that specialize in governance and business climate analysis. 

The region boasts a wide-ranging mix of performers with leaders such as New Zealand (88 out of 100), Singapore (85), Australia (77) and Hong Kong (77) which contrast with the likes of Cambodia (21), Afghanistan (19) and North Korea (18). 

China: Steady Improvement

Since 2014, China has steadily improved its CPI score from 36 in 2014 to 42 in 2020. The report also cites the recent «Global Corruption Barometer for Asia» which said that 64 percent of mainland citizens believed that corruption decreased in the 12 months prior to the survey. 

Nonetheless, there is much work to be done as 62 percent still consider government corruption a big problem with 28 percent and 32 percent relying on bribes and personal connections, respectively, to receive public services. 

«This translates to hundreds of millions of people, and China still has a long way to go in curbing corruption,» Transparency International said.

Covid Corruption Challenges

Further worsening matters, APAC countries are simultaneously attempting to address the challenges of the pandemic – as well as the impact of Cyclone Harold on the Pacific region – and lagging anti-corruption improvements are exposing governance systems. 

In the case of Papua New Guinea (27), legislation was passed to establish an anti-corruption commission with the public demanding an audit of emergency funds. Similarly, Solomon Islands (42) appointed the first-ever director-general of its national anti-corruption commission. 

Still, there are concerns in other areas such as the Solomon Islands’ announced intention to ban Facebook allegedly to prevent misinformation or an announcement by Vanuatu's (43) government to restrict press freedoms as enabled by its state of emergency. 

Global Leader 

Despite scoring under half, APAC as a region still ranks above the likes of the Americas (43), Middle East and North Africa (39), Eastern Europe and Central Asia (36) and Sub-Saharan Africa (32).

Globally, Western Europe and the E.U. topped the ranks by far (66) led by Denmark (88) followed by Finland (85), Sweden (85) and Switzerland (85).

«This year’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) paints a grim picture of the state of corruption worldwide,» Transparency International added. «While most countries have made little to no progress in tackling corruption in almost a decade, more than two-thirds of countries score below 50. Our research shows corruption not only undermines the global health response to COVID-19, but also contributes to a continuing crisis of democracy.»