The newest Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) released by Transparency International reveals that corruption levels have stagnated worldwide. Even the high-scoring countries on the Index are not corruption-free. Many perpetuate a cycle of corruption that often helps keep lower-performing countries at the bottom of the Index. Some act as safe havens to corrupt officials from abroad and their ill-gotten gains. The CPI scores 180 countries and territories around the world based on perceptions of public sector corruption. It is calculated using data from 13 external sources.
