Georgia ranks among top 20 EU member and candidate states for freedom from corruption

The European Commission has published the Rule of Law Index compiled by the World Justice Project, placing Georgia first in the Eastern Europe and Central Asia region in terms of the rule of law.

As part of the study, the global ranking on freedom from corruption was also released. Georgia scored 65 percent on a 100-point scale, placing it among the world’s top 40 countries and within the top 20 among European Union member and candidate states.

In terms of the absence of corruption, Georgia outperforms all EU candidate countries and 13 EU and NATO member states, including Italy, Croatia, Greece, Slovenia, Slovakia, Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria, Malta, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Turkey, and Albania.

In Europe, Denmark and Norway lead the ranking for the lowest levels of corruption.

The research also identified the most corrupt countries in Europe. Ukraine ranked first in terms of the highest level of corruption, followed by Moldova as the second most corrupt country on the continent.

According to the European Commission’s explanation, the indicator measures the absence of corruption in government and examines three main forms: bribery; improper influence by public or private interests; and misappropriation of public funds and resources. These forms of corruption are assessed across officials in the executive branch, judiciary, military, police, and legislative bodies.

The study published by the European Commission is conducted by the World Justice Project, an organization headquartered in the United States.