Transparency International warns of worrying democratic decline

Tuesday 10 February 2026 - 11:00

By: Sahili Aya

Transparency International warns of worrying democratic decline

Transparency International raised the alarm on Tuesday over a growing deterioration of democratic standards worldwide, warning that corruption is gaining ground even in long-established democracies. In its 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index, the Berlin-based organization reported the lowest global average score recorded in more than a decade.

The report highlights mounting concerns in the United States, which registered its weakest score since the index was created. Transparency International pointed to increasing pressure on independent institutions and growing threats to judicial autonomy. According to the organization, recent political developments have contributed to a climate in which oversight mechanisms are being weakened.

Globally, the average score fell to 42 out of 100, reflecting persistent difficulties in curbing corruption. More than two-thirds of the countries assessed scored below the midpoint, indicating widespread governance challenges. Among democratic nations, declines were also observed in several European states, including France and the United Kingdom, where Transparency International cited weakened independent controls and insufficient enforcement frameworks.

Within the European Union, Bulgaria and Hungary ranked among the lowest performers. The report accused the Hungarian government of systematically undermining the rule of law, civic space and electoral integrity over many years, allowing corruption risks to deepen. Transparency International also criticized the EU for failing to use stronger legal tools to counter democratic backsliding in some member states.

Despite the overall negative trend, the report noted some encouraging developments. Denmark once again topped the ranking, while Ukraine recorded one of the most notable improvements. Transparency International said recent corruption scandals in Ukraine, combined with strong civil society pressure, demonstrated that institutional reforms and public accountability can still produce tangible results, even under extremely difficult conditions.