Corruption perceptions index 2023

Every year, Transparency International compiles figures on the perceived corruption worldwide, known as the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI). In the figures for 2023, a continued and concerning negative trend for Sweden is evident.

The index measures perceived corruption in the public sector in 180 countries and is based on a combination of 13 sources with data from independent institutions specializing in the analysis of governance, business climate, and country risks. This means that the information should be understood as a reflection of actual corruption through a general perception of the situation. The figures can be assumed to be a reasonable estimate of actual conditions but are even more a useful tool for trends per country or region.

Sweden's trend has been negative for many years, and after losing seven points since 2015, a new lowest level is noted with 82 points on a scale of 100. The ranking is significantly lower than the Nordic neighbors Denmark (90 points), Finland (87 points), and Norway (84 points), but still somewhat higher than Iceland (72 points).

Transparency International Sweden is calling for a comprehensive and systematic approach to combating corruption and undue influence, encompassing both the private and public sectors. Furthermore, they request an overview of the criminal penal code, including corruption offenses, announced by the government over a year ago.

Transparency International Sweden is ready to actively contribute to shaping an action plan in this area but notes that the proposals made in connection with the previous national action plan are still relevant three years later.

That this is the case is possibly not surprising, as corruption in a society is closely intertwined with a wide range of factors and societal development in a broader sense. Corruption is associated with demographics, transfer systems, the level of trust in society, and a multitude of other cultural factors, along with more or less explicit incentive structures. The political effort against corruption is therefore a task that requires extensive efforts on many levels to be effective. And it typically requires long periods of time.