In the report of the non-governmental organization Transparency International for 2022, published on January 31, Montenegro was ranked 65th on a list that included 180 countries of the world, with a corruption perception index (CPI) of 45. According to that parameter, it is still the only country in the Western Balkans which is better than the world average (43).

Compared to the report published last year, the coefficient of Montenegro has decreased by one index point, and the ranking is lower by one.

The Corruption Perceptions Index, first published by Transparency International in 1995, annually ranks countries according to their perceived level of corruption in the public sector, in accordance with expert assessments and public opinion surveys. According to the adopted methodology, 100 represents the lowest and 0 the highest level of perceived corruption.

“Corruption undermines the ability of governments to protect people and undermines public trust, creating a growing number of security threats that are harder to control. On the other hand, conflicts make opportunities for corruption and undermine governments' efforts to stop it,” the TI website said.

Compared to the countries of the Western Balkans, in the latest TI report, Montenegro is ahead of Kosovo (84th place, CPI 41), North Macedonia (85th position, CPI 40), Serbia and Albania (they share 101st place, CPI 36), and of Bosnia and Herzegovina (110th place, CPI 34). Our country has a better corruption perception index and is on the list above two European Union member states: Bulgaria (72nd place, CPI 43) and Hungary (77th place, CPI 42).

Montenegro was included in the research for the first time in 2007, when it occupied the 84th position, with an index of 3.3 (33 according to the current methodology).

“Leaders can fight corruption and promote peace at the same time,” TI CEO Daniel Erickson said. “Governments must open up space for public involvement in decision-making - from activists and business owners to marginalized communities and young people. In democratic societies, people can raise their voices to help uproot corruption and demand a safer world for us all.”

In the spirit of his message, the Agency for Prevention of Corruption invites citizens, decision-makers and involved social actors to a joint dedicated engagement in the fight against corruption, strengthening the institutional framework and environment in which integrity and the rule of law are affirmed.

As a central preventive anti-corruption institution, the Agency will continue to make its full contribution to respecting and promoting all those values ​​that bring benefit to our community and bring it closer to the strategic goal of joining the European Union.