Slovakia has dropped to 61st in the Corruption Perceptions Index, reflecting weakened state institutions and increased skepticism toward their ability to combat corruption.
In the recently released Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) for 2025, Slovakia has fallen to 61st place out of 182 countries, scoring 48 out of 100, indicating a rising perception of corruption. This decline marks a two-place drop and a one-point decrease compared to the previous year, highlighting a troubling trend where Slovakia's score approaches its lowest since the methodology changed in 2012. The country is now trailing behind several others in the European Union, including Croatia, Romania, Bulgaria, and Hungary.
The more pressing issue than the annual decline is the broader trend observed over the past years. During the tenure of Robert Fico's fourth government, there has been a notable attack on the institutions responsible for investigating corruption, as well as on the media and civil society. From 2023 to 2025, Slovakia's ranking slid a staggering 14 places in international comparisons. This sharp decline underscores a growing concern among experts regarding the state's ability to address significant corruption effectively and maintain credibility in the eyes of both domestic and international observers.
The situation is not merely a statistical aberration; it signals a systemic erosion of trust in state capabilities by the public and international community alike. Experts suggest that the weakening of state institutions and attacks against those advocating for justice and transparency are leading factors behind this troubling decline, reiterating the need for robust actions to restore confidence and integrity to Slovakia's governance and reinforce its institutions against corruption.
