Stable Score, Shrinking Trust

Transparency International (TI) has once again underscored the weaknesses in Nepal’s governance through its latest Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI). Published annually, the index remains one of the most widely referenced global assessments of public sector corruption. The Corruption Perceptions Index 2025 paints a troubling picture of global politics and governance. On a scale where 100 denotes a corruption-free environment, the global average has slipped to 42—its lowest level in a decade. Of the more than 180 countries assessed, 122 scored below 50, signalling that the global fight against corruption is faltering rather than advancing. Most concerning is the decline recorded in democratic nations. TI warns that institutional checks and balances, along with effective law enforcement, are steadily weakening in many democracies. Democracy’s strength lies not merely in periodic elections but in the resilience of independent judiciaries, robust regulatory systems, free media, and active civil society. When these pillars erode, corruption risks intensify, private money exerts disproportionate influence over policymaking, and public trust deteriorates. The report notably highlights the United States, whose score has dropped to 64—its lowest ever. TI has expressed concern over efforts that target independent voices and undermine judicial independence. Cuts to international cooperation and foreign assistance have also weakened global anti-corruption initiatives. A decline in an established democracy such as the US—amid growing political polarisation—sends an unsettling message about broader democratic backsliding. Similar patterns are observed in the United Kingdom and France. Although these countries remain near the top of the rankings, legal loopholes, weak enforcement, political polarisation, and the expanding influence of private money pose long-term risks to democratic integrity.