The world's least corrupt nations

Rediff.com, October 28, 2010 08:28 IST

Denmark along with two other countries have been ranked as the world's least corrupt countries.

With a score of 9.3, Denmark has consistently topped the Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index. The country has a strong tradition of openness to global trade and investment, and transparent and efficient regulations are applied evenly in most cases.

Denmark also boasts an efficient, independent judiciary that protects property rights, and the level of corruption is extraordinarily low, according to the Index of Economic freedom.

Three countries share the first position in the Transparency Index. New Zealand shares the same score of Denmark at 9.3. New Zealand is known for its efforts to ensure transparent, competitive, and corruption-free government procurement. Stiff penalties against bribing government officials or accepting bribes are strictly enforced.

Singapore also tops the Transparency Index with a high score of 9.3. The government enforces strong anti-corruption laws. It is a crime for a citizen to bribe a foreign official or any other person, within or outside of Singapore.