Austria has recorded its worst performance in Transparency International’s (TI) Corruption Perceptions Index, dropping to 25th place with a score of 67 out of 100, as TI Austria’s chairwoman, Bettina Knötzl, described the result as “shameful.”

Austria ranked 20th in 2023 and 15th in 2018. At 90 points, Denmark remains the least corrupt country for the seventh consecutive year, followed by Finland (88 points) and Singapore (84 points).

Political Scandals and Media Influence

TI attributed Austria’s decline to ongoing political scandals involving cronyism, personal enrichment and attempts to interfere with independent media.

A lack of independent oversight in the country’s prosecution services, particularly in the Economic and Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (WKStA), was also a key factor in the lower ranking.

The findings highlight shortcomings in Austria’s efforts to combat corruption and maintain democratic accountability. The country is also falling behind in implementing its Freedom of Information Act.

How the Index Works

The Corruption Perceptions Index, published annually since 1995, assesses how experts and business leaders perceive corruption in the public sector. It draws on data from 12 institutions, including the World Economic Forum.

Covering 180 countries and territories, the index measures various forms of corruption, including bribery, misappropriation of public funds and nepotism in government.

Some sources also examine anti-corruption measures, judicial independence, transparency requirements for public officials and public access to government information. A score of zero indicates widespread corruption, while 100 suggests no perceived corruption.

Call for Greater Transparency

Knötzl warned that Austria’s reputation was suffering as a result of corruption scandals. “Transparency is the key to preventing abuse of power and fostering trust in the integrity of decision-makers,” she said.

She welcomed Austria’s Freedom of Information Act, passed in early 2024, as a chance to strengthen transparency and rebuild public trust. However, as the law will not come into effect until September, it was not considered in this year’s ranking.