Slovenia improves on Corruption Perceptions Index

Slovenia has scored 60 out of 100 points in the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index, improving by four points to regain the level seen in 2018-2020. Slovenia ranks 36th among 180 countries, after placing 42nd last year, CE Report quotes The Slovenia Times.

The Slovenian chapter of Transparency International (TI), the organisation that compiles the report, welcomed the progress, but noted that the country still falls short of the EU/Western European and OECD averages.

While the modest gains partly reflect recent efforts, such as increased public sector training by the Commission for the Prevention of Corruption, a revised methodology has also contributed to the improved score. Key challenges in making systemic changes persist.

Notably, after more than 20 years, a revised resolution on preventing corruption has been drafted, though it has yet to be adopted. While a whistleblower protection law has been passed and some recommendations from the Group of States Against Corruption have been implemented, others - like the government's integrity plan - remain pending.

Calls for further steps

TI Slovenia head Neža Grasselli stressed that the first urgent step is to adopt the revised resolution swiftly, without sacrificing public debate. She added that true progress requires political and societal consensus on zero tolerance of corruption, stronger institutions, greater transparency in the public sector, and more effective oversight.

"We need broader awareness-raising and more concrete measures, particularly at critical points such as major infrastructure projects and in prosecuting corruption-related offences. Corruption does not disappear on its own; it can only be prevented by a stable system that ensures accountability and integrity at all levels," she said.

The country's anti-graft watchdog, the Commission for the Prevention of Corruption welcomed the progress but its president Robert Šumi said that "as a society we deserve more".

"We expect that decision-makers will place the prevention of corruption and the strengthening of integrity among their priorities in an even more determined fashion," he added.

Falling ratings of EU, Western Europe

The EU and Western Europe, with a score of 64, remain the best-rated regions on the index, though their ratings have been falling for the second consecutive year. Among 31 countries assessed in those regions, only six improved their scores while 19 deteriorated.

The world's top-ranked country is Denmark with 90 points, while South Sudan is last with eight. The global average score has stayed flat at 43 for years.

The Corruption Perceptions Index assesses 180 countries based on expert opinions and surveys among businesspeople, drawing on data from 13 external sources - including the World Bank, the World Economic Forum, private consultancies, and think tanks.

The results are given on a scale of 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean).