Kuwait maintains score of 46 in 2024 Global Corruption Index
Kuwait’s Corruption Index score improved over five years, with an 18-point rise in four sources offset by a 17-point drop in others, maintaining partial balance.
• While Kuwait ranked last in the Gulf in the 2024 Global Corruption Index, the United Arab Emirates ranked first in both the Arab world and the Gulf, with Qatar and Saudi Arabia ranking second, Oman in fourth, and Bahrain in fifth in the Gulf.
Kuwait retained its score of 46 in the 2024 Global Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI). However, its global ranking dropped by two spots to 65th place, ranking 7th in the Arab world and last in the Gulf, according to Al Qabas newspaper.
The Kuwait Transparency Society stated that the 2024 index highlighted the link between corruption and the climate crisis, noting that the evaluation was based on eight different sources.
It pointed out that Kuwait has made progress in improving its score over the past five years. The increase in Kuwait’s evaluation by 18 points in four sources, alongside a decrease of 17 points in the other four sources, created a partial balance in the overall total.
The Transparency Society also noted a significant improvement in Kuwait’s assessment in the risk classification source issued by the Economic Investigation Unit of The Economist Group 2024, with a rise of 14 points from 37 to 51. This was the best result achieved in this year’s evaluation and contributed significantly to maintaining Kuwait’s score in the overall index.
While Kuwait ranked last in the Gulf in the index, the UAE ranked first in both the Arab world and the Gulf, with Qatar and Saudi Arabia ranking second, Oman in fourth, and Bahrain in fifth in the Gulf.
Encouraging signs of improvement in the national integrity system in 2024 include:
- The strong message from His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, which emphasized the political leadership’s commitment to combating corruption and preserving public funds.
- The government’s actions in holding accountable those involved in forging Kuwaiti nationality and approving several decisions aimed at reforming the administrative system.
- The activation of the Financial Investigations Unit following the issuance of Amiri Decree No. 216 of 2024, appointing its head.
- The issuance of multiple judicial rulings against ministers and public sector leaders concerning allegations of embezzling public funds and abusing public service influence.
