A new measurement indicates that Sweden remains at a low level of corruption, yet still ranks lower than Denmark and has seen a decline since 2015.
According to a recent measurement, Sweden continues to show a low level of perceived corruption but still ranks as the sixth least corrupt country in the world on Transparency International's annual index. Sweden has maintained an 80 out of 100 score, consistent with last year; however, it has lost 9 points since 2015, indicating a worrying trend. Denmark ranks first with 89 points, followed closely by Finland with 88 points, continuing their positions at the top of the list.
Ulrik Ã…shuvud, the Secretary General of Transparency International Sweden, articulates that there are specific challenges contributing to Sweden's ranking. The impact of organized crime within the welfare systems in Sweden presents significant issues that Denmark and Finland do not face to the same extent. Factors like illegal influence, infiltration, and extortion have been identified as major corruption threats impacting the integrity of welfare institutions in Sweden.
This rising corruption perception could have broader implications for trust in public institutions in Sweden. As corruption potentially affects the delivery and effectiveness of public services, there is a call for proactive measures to safeguard Sweden’s reputation and ensure that public trust remains intact. Addressing the underlying issues of organized crime is crucial in reversing the current trends observed in the corruption index.
