In the latest Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) published by the international anti-corruption organization Transparency International, Latvia’s score has improved by one point, reaching 60 points.
As a result, Latvia ranks 37th among 182 countries.
Meanwhile, Estonia maintains 76 points, ranking 12th. Lithuania, compared to the previous year, has risen by two points, reaching 65 points and 28th place.
The association Sabiedrība par atklātību – Delna considers that Latvia’s one-point increase in the CPI reflects stable performance rather than a significant improvement, the organization reports.
“In order for the country to break out of stagnation in the fight against corruption and approach the indicators of more economically developed countries in the CPI, decision-makers largely lack political will and have not fully appreciated the private sector’s potential in combating corruption,” Delna concludes.
The highest CPI score was achieved by Denmark – 89 points, which is one point less than a year ago;
Finland retained 88 points, and Singapore – 84 points. The average score of European Union (EU) countries is 64 points, one point lower than last year.
Delna concludes that since 2012, the results of 13 EU countries have declined, while only seven countries have improved, including the three Baltic states, the Czech Republic, Greece, Italy, and Ireland.
Since 2012, all three Baltic states have shown significant growth – Estonia +12 points, Latvia +11 points, and Lithuania +11 points, Delna notes.
The CPI score is calculated using 13 different sources that compile data obtained from experts and businesspeople regarding the private sector’s perception of the presence of corruption in the public sector.
Latvia receives higher ratings in sources that assess the quality of the country’s democracy and governance,
and the existence of regulations to strengthen integrity in the public sector. Lower ratings appear in sources that compile business opinions and provide expert assessments of the business environment in the country, evaluate investment risks, and assess dishonesty in the allocation of public funds.
The lowest rating – 32 points – for Latvia comes from the “World Economic Forum Executive Opinion Survey 2025,” which indicates the presence of “unofficial payments” as well as the diversion of public funds for private gain, Delna explains. Neighboring countries score higher in this assessment – Estonia receives 81 points and Lithuania 85 points.
Delna reminds that the CPI indicator is one of the signals to investors about the investment climate, competition, and quality of governance. If there are suspicions of undocumented payments, inefficient allocation of public funds or favoritism, or restricted competition, honest investors act cautiously and choose not to invest in the country, the organization emphasizes.
CPI sources also usually indirectly reflect how safe it is to report violations
and how freely society, the media, and non-governmental organizations can monitor decision-making. In Delna’s view, whistleblowing is one of the mechanisms for detecting and preventing corruption and other socially harmful violations, yet in Latvia it is still not sufficiently effective. The organization stresses that although regulation largely complies with EU standards, in reality whistleblowers often face reprisals, discrimination, and other negative consequences or fears that deter them from reporting potential violations.
Delna notes that it has provided recommendations for improving the CPI score in previous years as well. “Few recommendations have been implemented; therefore, many remain relevant this year,” it concludes.
Among the recommendations are promoting a whistleblowing culture and making meaningful use of the State Audit Office’s resources and implementing its audit recommendations.
Delna also calls for addressing problems related to the investigation and prosecution of high-level corruption-related criminal offenses, as well as explaining why a relatively small percentage of cases are completed.
The organization urges the introduction of a mechanism requiring high-level officials to declare private interests
as soon as they arise, rather than only once a year. It also recommends increasing awareness among the public and public administration employees about conflicts of interest and explaining how to act in specific situations.
Delna further suggests reviewing and updating the Saeima deputies’ code of ethics, supplementing it with practical measures to promote ethical conduct and prevent corruption, as well as continuing to develop and clearly formulate the Saeima’s internal procedures for observing and enforcing the code of ethics.
Emphasizing business integrity, Delna proposes encouraging companies to proactively engage in anti-corruption measures, including disclosure of data on anti-corruption policies, beneficial owners, and political involvement through interest representation. It also calls for raising public awareness about forms of corruption and bribery in the private sector.
Regarding the misuse of public funds, Delna wants a public audit of the Saeima’s budget. It also proposes introducing integrity pacts in public procurement, especially in strategically important and large projects, as well as carefully assessing the reform of the public procurement system promoted by the Ministry of Finance and the associated risks.
Delna also calls for identifying sectors with the largest EU and national public funding
and conducting regular corruption risk assessments, for example in the defense sector.
Delna notes that the Corruption Prevention and Combating Action Plan for 2026–2027 essentially requires long-term implementation and consistent cooperation among institutions over several years, meaning that the measures already initiated must be continued in the next plan.
As previously reported, over the past ten years Latvia’s score has fluctuated between 55 and 60 points, without demonstrating stable long-term growth. A year ago, in 2024, Latvia’s CPI score decreased by one point, reaching 59 points – the same level as in 2021 and 2022.
Latvia’s CPI score was 60 in 2023; 59 in 2022 and 2021; 57 in 2020; 56 in 2019; 58 in 2018 and 2017; and lower before that.
The Corruption Perceptions Index makes it possible to assess a country’s progress in combating corruption and to compare results among 182 countries worldwide. Scores are assigned on a scale from 0 to 100, where 0 indicates the highest level of corruption and 100 means there is no corruption in the country.
It is generally accepted that a result below 50 points indicates serious corruption problems in a country.
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