little progress in the fight against corruption
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In the latest Corruption Perceptions Index (KPI) of the international anti-corruption organization “Transparency International“, Latvia’s score has improved by one point, reaching 60 points. As the portal jauns.lv informs, this allows Latvia to occupy the 37th place among 180 countries, which is a slight increase compared to the previous year, when Latvia was in the 38th position. Although the result has improved, the association “Society for Openness – Delna” states that this increase is more indicative of a stable performance than a significant improvement in the fight against corruption.
This index measures public perception of the level of corruption in the public sector using a scale from 0 (high level of corruption) to 100 (no corruption). A score below 50 points is considered an indication of serious corruption problems in the country. Latvia’s score of 60 points indicates that cases of bribery and corruption occur, but usually on a small scale, while bureaucratic procedures may be ineffective and subject to corruption risks.
Comparison of the Baltic States and the international context
Compared to neighboring countries, Latvia still lags behind. Estonia maintains its position with 76 points, occupying the 12th place in the world list. Lithuania has improved its score by two points, reaching 65 points and 28th place. Although since 2012 all three Baltic countries have seen a significant increase in KUI indicators, Latvia’s pace of progress is slower than that of Estonia and Lithuania.
The world average is 43 points, while the European Union (EU) average is 64 points. Among the member states of the European Union, Latvia is in 14th place, Lithuania is in 12th place and Estonia is in 7th place. Denmark, Finland and Singapore still rank high in the world for low perceptions of corruption.
Challenges of Latvia’s progress and future perspectives
In order for the country to be able to break out of stagnation in the fight against corruption and approach the indicators of more economically developed countries, decision-makers often lack political will and the potential of the private sector in fighting corruption is not fully appreciated. The Association “Society for Transparency – Delna” states that Latvia has a better result in assessments related to the quality of democracy and limitation of conflict of interests, but a weaker assessment is for the private sector’s direct perception of the level of corruption in the country.
In the Latvian National Development Plan 2021-2027 the goal was set to reach 64 points in the KUI by 2024, and 67 points by 2027. However, the current results show that these goals are highly questionable. Since 2021, “Delna” warned about the unachievability of these goals.
The transparency of the use of public funds and the full implementation of the law on the openness of the representation of interests, which is expected by 2028, are also mentioned as areas for significant improvement.
The role of state institutions and organizations in reducing corruption
In its 2023 report on the rule of law, the European Commission has praised the work of the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) and other Latvian institutions in the field of reducing corruption. The effective activity of KNAB in the development and improvement of legal acts, as well as the 2023-2025 plan of measures for the prevention and combating of corruption was highlighted. acceptance and fulfillment of its tasks. The operation of the state officials’ declaration system and the introduced inspection mechanisms were also positively evaluated.
Prime Minister Evika Siliņa has emphasized the need to further strengthen the capacity of KNAB in order to identify and prevent high-level corruption risks, as well as recognized the office’s readiness to effectively prevent and combat corruption. It is planned to strengthen the resources of KNAB by reorganizing the Internal Security Department of the State Revenue Service.
Methodology and meaning of index calculation
The KUI calculation uses 13 different independent data sources that collect data on the private sector’s perception of the presence of corruption in the public sector from experts and entrepreneurs. The purpose of the index is not only to assess the current state of the country, but also to identify areas where improvements are needed to increase confidence and attract investors.
Although Latvia’s result in the KUI index shows little progress, wider and more focused work on ensuring systemic changes is necessary to achieve a lasting and significant improvement in the perception and reality of corruption.
date:2026-02-14 20:31:00
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