Top 10 Most Corrupt Countries In Europe 2026

When we think of corruption, images of explicit bribery and overt government malfeasance in developing nations often come to mind. However, corruption in Europe is often more nuanced and institutionalized. It manifests as state capture, where private interests significantly influence state decision-making; clientelism, where political support is exchanged for public resources; and high-level graft that erodes public trust and stifles economic growth.

This list is based on projections from the most recent Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) by Transparency International, combined with current political trajectories, EU reports, and ongoing geopolitical events. The CPI ranks countries on a scale of 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean). It’s crucial to note that even the “most corrupt” countries in Europe often score significantly higher than many nations in other regions, reflecting the continent’s relatively strong institutions. However, significant problems persist, and for the citizens of these countries, the impact on daily life and economic opportunity is very real.

The following list projects the ten European countries expected to have the lowest scores on the 2025 CPI, indicating the highest levels of perceived public sector corruption.

The Transparency Deficit: Europe’s Most Corrupt Countries

1. Russia – 22 points

Russia has the lowest score in Europe, ranking 157th globally. Its score has remained stagnant for years and is classified as an extremely poor quality of governance by World Economics.

Corruption is deeply embedded across state institutions, with limited accountability for public officials and widespread practices in law enforcement and the judiciary. The country has consistently ranked at the bottom of the European index for over a decade, and its score has barely changed despite repeated anti-corruption campaigns.

2. Belarus – 31 points

Belarus ranks 124th globally. Its score has declined over the past decade as civil liberties and political competition have been suppressed. The concentration of power in a single leader has created an environment where corruption goes largely unchecked, and public procurement processes lack transparency.

International observers have noted that the absence of independent media and civil society organizations makes it difficult to expose or combat corrupt practices at any level of government.

3. Türkiye – 31 points

Türkiye shares the same score as Belarus and has experienced one of the largest declines in the index since 2012, according to Transparency International. The erosion of judicial independence and the weakening of checks and balances have contributed to this decline.

Corruption allegations have frequently targeted high-level government officials and their business allies, while journalists and whistleblowers face significant legal risks when attempting to report on such matters. The country’s once-promising reform trajectory has reversed dramatically.

4. Serbia – 33 points

Serbia has fallen significantly in recent years, with corruption contributing to a decline in civil freedoms and rule of law. It is ranked among the worst four countries in Europe by Transparency International’s Bosnia and Herzegovina chapter.

Political interference in the judiciary and media, along with opaque public procurement processes, has undermined public trust in state institutions. The country’s EU accession process has been slowed in part by concerns over the lack of genuine anti-corruption progress.

5. Bosnia and Herzegovina – 34 points

Bosnia and Herzegovina has stagnated at the bottom of European rankings for years. It shares its global rank with Algeria, Nepal, and Indonesia. The country’s complex political structure, which includes multiple layers of government and ethnic power-sharing arrangements, has created significant opportunities for corruption.

Public sector employment is often based on political affiliation rather than merit, and state-owned enterprises are frequently used as instruments of patronage.

6. Ukraine – 36 points

Ukraine scores 36 points, placing it among the lowest in Europe. Corruption remains a significant challenge despite ongoing reforms. The country has made some progress in establishing anti-corruption institutions, but enforcement remains inconsistent and political will has fluctuated.

The ongoing war has created new opportunities for corruption in defence procurement and reconstruction efforts, and international partners have consistently pressed for stronger safeguards against the misuse of aid funds.

7. Albania – 39 points

Albania scores 39 points and is classified as a country with serious corruption problems by the CPI’s standards. The country has made some efforts to strengthen its judicial system and combat organised crime, but corruption remains pervasive in areas such as public procurement, construction permits, and healthcare.

Political interference in the judiciary and the influence of informal networks continue to undermine institutional integrity.

8. Hungary – 40 points

Hungary is the worst-performing EU member state, tied with Bulgaria for last place within the bloc. Transparency International describes corruption under Viktor Orbán as systemic, embedded in state administration and political life.

The concentration of media ownership in government-friendly hands has limited public scrutiny, while public procurement processes have consistently favoured companies with close ties to the ruling party. Hungary has finished last among EU states for four consecutive years, with its score dropping 15 points since 2012.

9. Bulgaria – 40 points

Bulgaria is tied with Hungary as the most corrupt EU member state. The country has seen mass anti-corruption protests over private influence over the state. Despite joining the EU in 2007, Bulgaria has struggled to translate membership into meaningful governance reforms.

The country has been placed under a special EU monitoring mechanism since its accession, and concerns remain over high-level corruption, organised crime, and the effectiveness of the judiciary.

10. North Macedonia – 40 points

North Macedonia scores 40 points, completing the bottom tier of European countries according to the CPI. The country has made some progress in recent years, including changes to its judicial framework, but corruption remains a serious concern.

Political parties have been accused of using public resources for campaign purposes, and the influence of business interests over regulatory decisions continues to undermine public trust in state institutions.

Comparison Table – Most Corrupt Countries in Europe (by CPI Score)

Hungary and Bulgaria are the worst in the EU, both scoring 40. Hungary has finished last among EU states for four consecutive years, with its score dropping 15 points since 2012.

The EU average is 62, and the region remains the least corrupt in the world, though progress has stalled.

Thirteen countries in Western Europe and the EU have significantly declined since 2012. The global average is 42, the lowest in over a decade. More than two-thirds of countries score below 50, indicating serious corruption problems.

Scores below 50 generally indicate serious corruption problems in the public sector.

Closing

The most corrupt countries in Europe, according to Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index, span from Russia at the very bottom to a cluster of EU member states and candidate countries scoring in the low 40s. While Europe as a whole remains the least corrupt region in the world, the divide between the cleanest Nordic countries and the worst performers in Eastern Europe and the Balkans is stark.

The data shows that corruption is not an inevitable feature of any region but is closely linked to political accountability, judicial independence, and the strength of civil society.

All data is based on Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index. Scores are subject to revision in future editions.