For 2021, Iraq’s score on the Corruption Perceptions Index reached 23/100, with a ranking of 157 out of 180 countries, placing it at the 23rd position from the bottom. This reflects a two-point improvement compared to the 2020 assessment, and Iraq has thus moved out of the list of the world’s ten most corrupt countries.
The report highlighted the following regarding Iraq:
“In Iraq (21), efforts to dismantle systemic corruption are hindered by a power-sharing system weakened by sectarianism. This has led to the appointment of officials in institutions based on sectarian loyalty and personal connections rather than competence. As a result, such institutions show little to no public accountability and are instead driven by the agendas and political influence of each group.”
