Nordics Least Corrupted Nations in the World
The Nordic Countries are the least corrupted and most transparent countries in the world, according to the reports published by the Non Governmental Organisation "Transparency International"

Least corrupted countries in the world

The Nordic countries are the least corrupted states in the world, according to the Corruption Perception Index which is published annually by Transparency International. Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Sweden and Norway figure as the top countries on the TI index because of their high levels of freedom of speech, open administration, transparency in political institutions, and consensual political system which emphasizes common problem solving.

The Corruption Perception Index (CPI) is an independent study published since 1995 in several languages by ONG Transparency International. The CPI measures transparency in political institutions, corruption and good governance all around the world.

The conclusion from TI's research is that corruption in public administration and economy is less likely to flourish in well governed countries such as in Scandinavia than in poor nations. Using such measures of globalisation as goods and services, technology and finance, the most global nations in the world were Singapore, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, Finland, Ireland, Austria, the United Kingdom, Norway and Canada.

Notably globalized nations such as the Nordics enjoy more civil liberties and political rights, while less globalized countries score poorly. Moreover, the less corrupt countries in the world happen to be the most environmentally friendly countries, being also the same uncorrupted countries that rank highest in the Human Development Report measuring quality of life, which is published by the United Nations.


Finland least corrupted nation for third consecutive year

Since the first Corruption Perception Index was published in 1995, the Nordic countries have always been rated as the least corrupted countries in the world, Finland heading the list and ranking as the least corrupted country in the world. In 2001, Finland was given the index of 9.9, indicating that virtually no major corruption had been found in the country.

As in every international index, the rest of the Nordic nations follow closely: next after Finland, the 2002 CPI report shows Denmark and New Zealand sharing the second place, Iceland as the fourth, Sweden and Singapore tied on fifth place, and Norway on the twelfth position.

Political culture and transparency of political institutions determine the level of corruption in a government. The Nordic countries are very advanced and educated societies with the highest welfare and best education system in the world. Honesty, ethic and humility are characteristic of the Nordic society. Corruption, theft and lying are not tolerated and therefore very uncommon in a society where politicians are expected to work for the community and to serve the country.

Nordic countries suffer a reputation for being a boring place to live and this is can be attributed to the absence of seismic political scandals or deep economic crisis as it happens in other parts of the world. The Nordic countries have few serious worries, and that is actually a measure of how well things are going there.


The Nordic philosophy for a corruption-free society

» A culture of ethicality
Corruption and falseness are strictly not tolerated in the Nordic society. Individual cases of corruption are very rare. Rules are clear, taken seriously, and the price of being excluded from the normal circles of society is exceptionally high.

» Transparency and openness
The public administration is really public: it is elected by us to serve us and therefore it is open for criticism by other citizens, civil servants, and media. All diaries and records kept in the public administration are open to everybody, without exception.

» Public argumentation for the reasons behind a decision
The Constitution guarantees the right to be heard, the right to receive a reasoned decision and the right of appeal. Again the principle that public administration is really public, elected by us to serve us. Our politicians are elected and given their jobs to represent us.

» Collective decision structure
Corruption and bribery are made easier when the decision maker is only one person. Decisions are therefore made by a collegiate body so ideas can be debated and group bribery is made more difficult.

» Low hierarchical structure
Civil servants are responsible for doing their work without the intervention of superiors and have to inform others about their actions and duties. An administration with a low hierarchical structure, transparency, and a high degree of individual and collective responsibility does not foster corruption.

» Scandinavian Welfare: an egalitarian society
A well educated society is one of the pillars of the Nordic Welfare system. The Nordic countries believe in a democratic and egalitarian society where the ideal is to achieve the welfare of all the country citizens. The civil servant reflects these values, a democratic mentality and high standard of education being dominant in the civil service.

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