Afghanistan, North Korea and Somalia are seen as the most corrupt nations in the world,
according to Transparency International’s latest survey result.
More than two thirds of the 177 countries included in the 2013 Corruption Perceptions Index
scored below 50, where 0 indicates the country’s public sector is seen as highly corrupt and
100 as very clean.
“All countries still face the threat of corruption at all levels of government, from the issuing
of local permits to the enforcement of laws and regulations,” said Huguette Labelle,
Transparency International’s Chair in a statement.
I-Word Understanding
Public Sector ? the industries and service that are supported by tax money and controlled by
the government of a country.
Threat of corruption – risk of dishonest by those people in power such as bureaucrats,
politicians or executives of the companies.
Transparency – clear image
Enforcement – pressure
II-Have your say
1. “Corruption hurts the poor most,” these countries will never get out of the poverty trap, one
perfect example is North Korea where defectors report that famine is worsening corruption.
2. Jang Song Thaek was a mentor to Kim Jong Un and married to his aunt. He faced allegations
of corruption, drug use, gambling and womanizing. If only all the countries whether democratic
or communist countries could do the same, citizens can see at firsthand how transparency of
government really works.
3. 3 Worlds biggest economy recent Economic report. Who do you think is most corrupt?
1. US economy is worth over $16 trillion a year.
2. China is the world’s No. 2 economy and growing. Its GDP is around $7.5 trillion a year but
it’s changing.
3. Japan’s 2 percent growth rate in 2013 will be the fastest among the G7 countries. Japans
economy is worth over $ 5 trillion a year.
