Bhutan has recorded a small decline in its latest Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) score, slipping from 72 in 2024 to 71 last year, according to the 2025 report released by Transparency International. While the change suggests a marginal increase in perceived corruption, officials say the shift reflects challenges linked more to democratic indicators than to rising bribery or systemic misconduct.
Despite the drop, Bhutan held steady at 18th place worldwide among 182 countries and territories, reinforcing its reputation as one of the cleanest public sectors globally. The country ranked fifth in the Asia-Pacific region and third across Asia, while remaining the least corrupt nation in South Asia.
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) attributed the slight decline primarily to changes in democracy-related assessments rather than any significant deterioration in governance practices. Analysts noted that Bhutan’s score of 71 remains well above the Asia-Pacific regional average of 45 and even exceeds the European Union’s average score of 64, which represents the world’s least corrupt regional bloc.
Transparency International’s report highlighted Bhutan’s institutional strength and the broad public trust enjoyed by its governance system. High-level corruption remains uncommon, and oversight mechanisms are generally considered effective in enforcing accountability. However, the index also pointed to more subtle vulnerabilities, including complexities in government decision-making, judicial processes, and the management of large public projects.
Experts suggest that targeted reforms aimed at improving transparency in everyday administrative work could help Bhutan maintain or improve its standing in future rankings. Enhancing predictability in policies and strengthening openness in public procedures were identified as key areas for improvement.
Bhutan’s CPI score is compiled from multiple international data sources, including the Bertelsmann Transformation Index, the World Bank’s Country Policy and Institutional Assessment, the Varieties of Democracy project, and the Global Insight Country Risk Ratings. The index evaluates perceived levels of public sector corruption on a scale from zero to 100, with higher scores indicating cleaner governance.
Globally, Denmark once again topped the rankings as the least corrupt country, followed by Finland and Singapore. The report also underscored ongoing challenges worldwide, noting that more than two-thirds of countries scored below 50, reflecting persistent concerns about corruption in many regions.
Although Bhutan’s latest score shows a minor setback, observers say its continued high ranking highlights a governance system that remains resilient and comparatively transparent on the global stage.
