Transparency International’s 2013 Corruption Perceptions Index ranking 177 countries/territories – including all EU member states – offers a warning that the abuse of power, secret dealings and bribery continue to ravage societies around the world.

In the Corruption Perceptions Index 2013, Denmark and New Zealand tie for first place with scores of 91. Afghanistan, North Korea and Somalia this year make up the worst performers, scoring just 8 points each.

“The top performers clearly reveal how transparency supports accountability and can stop corruption,” said Huguette Labelle. “Still, the better performers face issues like state capture, campaign finance and the oversight of big public contracts which remain major corruption risks.”

The Corruption Perceptions Index is based on experts’ opinions of public sector corruption. Countries’ scores can be helped by strong access to information systems and rules governing the behaviour of those in public positions, while a lack of accountability across the public sector coupled with ineffective public institutions hurts these perceptions.

For more detailed information on the Corruption Perceptions Index 2013 see http://cpi.transparency.org and follow #stopthecorrupt on Twitter.