Transparency International published its annual Corruption Perceptions Index for 2009 today. According to the Index New Zealand is the least corrupted country in the world.
Small countries from Oceania, Europe and Asia tops the list. The United States has dropped one position to number 19.
Brazil is number 75, China 79, India 84, Mexico 89 and Russia as low as 146.
High scores reflect political stability, long- established conflict of interest regulations and solid, functioning public institutions.
And at the bottom of the index fragile, unstable states that are scarred by war and ongoing conflict can be found.
Somalia is the most corrupted country in the world, followed by Afghanistan, Myanmar, Sudan and Iraq.
180 countries were included in the study.
10 Least Corrupted Countries
New Zealand
Denmark
Singapore
Sweden
Switzerland
Finland
Netherlands
Australia
Canada
Iceland
10 Most Corrupted Countries
Somalia
Afghanistan
Myanmar
Sudan
Iraq
Chad
Uzbekistan
Turkmenistan
Iran
Haiti