Jordan's 2024 corruption perceptions index improves by 3 points, now 59th internationally

AMMAN — Jordan has seen an improvement in its standing on the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), with its score increasing by three points.

The Kingdom now scores 49 out of 100, reflecting progress in the fight against corruption, according to a statement issued on Tuesday by Rasheed Transparency International – Jordan, the national chapter of Transparency International.

The CPI, which evaluates corruption levels based on assessments from eight independent international sources, ranked Jordan 59th out of 180 countries and regions.

The Kingdom’s improved score highlighted better evaluations of bribery levels in the public sector, bolstered by efforts in raising public awareness, improving oversight, strengthening accountability, and automating government services, the statement said.

Despite these advancements, the report emphasised the need for further reforms. "Jordan must continue to strengthen the separation of powers, align its legislation with international and bilateral agreements and ensure that related commitments are fully implemented."

The organisation also stressed that promoting good governance, fostering a culture of integrity and rejecting all forms of corruption are key to ensuring continued progress.

These steps are crucial for improving Jordan’s standing on international indices, fostering equal opportunities, encouraging economic growth and reinforcing social peace, the organisation added.

Regionally, Jordan ranked sixth in the Arab world, following the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Bahrain, marking a slight decline from 2023, when Jordan was ranked fourth.

Both Oman and Bahrain made substantial strides this year, improving their scores by 12 and 11 points, respectively, which contributed to Jordan's drop in regional ranking, the statement said.

Internationally, Denmark emerged at the top with a score of 90, followed by Finland (88), Singapore (84), and New Zealand (83).

The lowest scorers on the index were Libya and Yemen at 13, Syria at 12, Somalia at 9 and South Sudan, which received the lowest score of 8.

The CPI assesses key factors such as a government’s ability to reduce bribery, activate accountability mechanisms, monitor public funds, prevent embezzlement, and limit the misuse of official positions for personal gain.

It also evaluates efforts to reduce corruption in bureaucratic processes, combat nepotism and favouritism in public appointments, and protect whistleblowers and journalists. Additionally, the index looks at the public’s ability to access information and hold the government accountable.

The CPI does not assess issues like tax fraud, money laundering, financial secrecy, illicit financial flows, or corruption in the private sector.

Rasheed Transparency International – Jordan is a non-profit civil society organisation, established end of 2013, and is the only national chapter of Transparency International in Jordan.

It aims to strengthen the pillars of good governance based on transparency, integrity, accountability, and the rule of law, raise the level of integrity and combat corruption in the public and private sectors and enhance the awareness of individuals from various sectors of the importance of transparency, accountability and reporting on corruption.

It also seeks to enhance the legal and executive frameworks of the national integrity system, through communication cooperating and exchanging experiences with international, regional and national organisations and working to expand the circle of data and information available to citizens.