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Transparency International, a Berlin based NGO, which aims to combat corruption, started ranking countries on corruption related matters since 1995. Since its inception, the annual Corruption Perception Index (CPI) it publishes has ranked Singapore as one of the least corrupt countries in the world. Surveys commissioned by TI also reflect a low level of corruption in Singapore
The Corruption Perception Index (CPI), developed by Prof. Dr Johann Graf Lambsdorff of Passau University, attempts to "rank countries in terms of the degree to which corruption is perceived to exist among public officials and politicians". Using data obtained from surveys carried out by various reputable institutions, such as the Political and Economic Risk Consultancy, World Economic Forum and the International Institute of Management Development, the index ranks countries in terms of perceived level of corruption on a scale of 1 to 10 (the higher the score, the least corrupt a country). Amongst an average of the 130 countries featured in the last 5 years, Singapore has been ranked (with an average score of 9.3) as the 5th least corrupt country in the world.
Sources : Transparency International's Internet Website
Some of the sources used to compute Singapore's CPI scores include the State Capacity Survey, conducted by the Columbia University; Country and Risk Service Forecast conducted by Economist Intelligence Unit; World Competitiveness Year Book published by the International Institute of Management Development; Grey Areas Dynamics by Merchant International Group; Asian Intelligence Newsletter by Political & Economic Risk Consultancy; Global Competitiveness Report by World Economic Forum; and Risk Rating by World Market Research Centre.
In addition to the CPI, Singapore was also included in TI's Global Corruption Barometer (or the Barometer), a yearly public opinion survey, in 2004 and 2005. The survey was carried out to assess the public's perceptions and experience of corruption in a country. In Singapore a total of about 500 respondents took part in the survey. Participants of the survey were asked to grade the degree of corruption, on a scale of 1 to 5 (1 being not at all corrupt and 5 extremely corrupt), for 15 keys political, social and economical institutions/sectors in a country and also the country's corruption outlook in the next three years. Notably, the survey outcome revealed that Singapore residents, compared to residents in other countries, perceived very little corruption in the various institutions and sectors in the country.
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Year |
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2005 |
1.9 |
1.6 |
1.7 |
1.7 |
2.4 |
1.6 |
1.8 |
2.0 |
1.6 |
1.6 |
1.5 |
1.5 |
1.7 |
2.2 |
2.0 |
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2004 |
2.2 |
1.8 |
2.1 |
2.0 |
2.7 |
1.8 |
2.0 |
2.2 |
1.7 |
1.8 |
1.8 |
1.7 |
1.9 |
2.6 |
2.2 | |
| | Sources : Transparency International's Internet Website
Respondents to the 2005 Global Corruption Barometer survey were also fairly optimistic about the corruption situation in Singapore with as many as 58% believing that the low level will be maintained or improved upon.
First published in 1999, and subsequently in 2002, the Bribe Payers Index ranks leading exporting countries in terms of the degree to which international companies with their headquarters in those countries are likely to pay bribes to senior public officials in key emerging market economies where these companies do business. This index is basically derived from the results of TI commissioned surveys carried out in some of the emerging markets. More information on this survey can be obtained from the TI's website. |