TI: Progress in Albania, Corruption Among Highest in Region

Transparency International’s recently published Corruption Perceptions Index 2016 places Albania among the most corrupt countries in the region. TI’s yearly report measures the perceived corruption levels in the public sector for 176 countries.

Albania is ranked on the 83rd place, leaving behind Macedonia and Kosovo, ranked on the 90th and 95th place, respectively. Compared to last year, all countries in the Balkans show a decline in perceived corruption.

On a measuring scale starting at 0 points (high corruption) and 100 points (no corruption), Albania scores 39 points. Albania has climbed 5 places and gained 3 points in comparison with last year.

Places where there is no corruption are Denmark and New Zealand. The most problematic countries are South Sudan and Somalia. In the supplementary report for Eastern Europe, TI reports that politicians and deputies in this region are often simultaneously business owners, interfering with the decision-making process and writing of draft laws that favor their personal interests. In these cases, a full legal framework is insufficient unless it is followed by right implementation of anti-corruption regulations.

In November 2016, TI published a report measuring the corruption of the political class. Albania was ranked as one of the three countries with the most corrupted political class in Europe.