Singapore ranked 5th least corrupt country in 2023, only Asian nation in top 10, as Denmark finishes first

Singapore remains the only Asian country to have been placed in the top 10 since the index was first published in 1995. It was third in 2018 and 2020, fourth in 2019 and 2021 and dropped to fifth in 2022 and 2023.

The index ranks and measures countries by their perceived levels of public sector corruption. Countries are scored on a scale of 0 (very corrupt) to 100 (very clean).

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Input is provided via expert opinion and the surveys of businesspeople, the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) said in a press release on Tuesday. It said that this data was taken from 13 external sources.

Singapore scored 83 in 2023, the same score it received the year before.

Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index 2023

2. Finland (87)

4. Norway (84)

5. Singapore (83)

6. Sweden (82)

7. Switzerland (82)

8. Netherlands (79)

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The CPIB said the corruption situation in Singapore “remains firmly under control”, pointing out that the number of public sector corruption cases remains consistently low.

“Public Perception Surveys regularly conducted by CPIB indicate strong public confidence in our national corruption control efforts,” it added.

CPIB also provided additional rankings related to corruption. Singapore was ranked third for absence of corruption in the World Justice Project Rule of Law Index 2023. This makes it the top Asian nation out of 142 countries.

It also performed well in the 2023 Report on Corruption in Asia by the Political and Economic Risk Consultancy (PERC) where it was ranked as the top out of 16 economies.

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“Singapore’s reputation as one of the least corrupt countries in the world is hard-earned,” said CPIB. It said that it would continue to work with the community to keep corruption at bay.

“CPIB takes a serious view of all reports and information that may disclose a corruption offence, whether the informant is known or anonymous,” it added.

“Together, we will continue to ensure that incorruptibility remains a key part of the Singaporean DNA.”