Ukraine has improved its position in the 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index, released by Transparency International on February 10. This year, the country ranked 104th out of 182 states, receiving 36 points out of a possible 100. This is one point higher than last year when Ukraine was in 105th place in the 2024 ranking.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Progress in the Fight Against Corruption and the Role of Civil Society
In its regional report, Transparency International notes that despite significant challenges, Ukraine demonstrates the ability to reform thanks to the activism of civil society, independent media, and non-governmental organizations. It is their constant pressure that has advanced anti-corruption initiatives and increased the effectiveness of government institutions.
“Despite these challenges, some countries demonstrate that change is achievable when civil space and independent institutions are protected. In Ukraine (36), the persistent pressure from non-governmental organizations, the public, and journalists has helped advance governance reforms.”
Transparency International also emphasized that Ukrainian civil society defended the independence of key anti-corruption bodies last year. Thanks to a specialized anti-corruption system, the country has increased the number of investigations and convictions, particularly in cases related to procurement and the defense sector.
Challenges and the Need for Further Reforms
The organization points out that to maintain positive momentum, it is necessary to continue reforms aimed at preventing the misallocation of funds designated for defense and reconstruction of the country. However, according to Transparency International Ukraine, a significant slowdown in Euro-integration reforms and the fulfillment of international obligations has been a restraining factor for achieving even better results, which remain the main drivers of change in the state.
The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) has been calculated annually since 1995 based on 13 studies from leading international expert centers. It measures the perception of corruption in the public sector by analyzing phenomena such as bribery, embezzlement of budget funds, nepotism, state capture, the effectiveness of prosecuting corrupt officials, the presence of integrity assurance mechanisms, transparency, the fight against conflicts of interest, and the protection of whistleblowers, journalists, and investigators.
At the same time, Russia, which scored only 22 points, ranked 157th. Transparency International emphasizes that the authoritarian policies of the Russian Federation spread corrupt practices throughout the region, undermining the functioning of democratic institutions in neighboring countries.