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Italy and Corruption: Public Trust at Stake

Over the past decade, Italy’s Corruption Perceptions Index scores have fluctuated, highlighting the country’s ongoing struggle with public sector corruption. In 2012, Italy scored 42 on the CPI, indicating significant corruption concerns. This score reflected systemic issues in public sector transparency and governance. Despite these challenges, Italy’s score saw a slight improvement in 2013. However, the overall picture remained troubling, with corruption pervasive at various levels, particularly in public administration.
In 2016, Italy saw a more notable increase, reaching a score of 47. This progress indicated some headway, but the country was still far from achieving a healthy level of governance, as corruption continued to impede institutional integrity.
By 2018, Italy’s CPI score rose to 52, continuing the upward trend. However, a score in the low 50s still suggested moderate corruption issues, especially in the public sector. 2019 saw a slight increase, with Italy achieving a score of 53. Though the country was making progress, corruption remained a significant issue affecting both governance and public trust. In 2021, Italy’s score improved to 56, reflecting ongoing efforts to tackle corruption and increase transparency. Despite these efforts, public sector corruption remained a problem.
In 2024, Italy’s CPI score slightly dropped to 54, showing a regression. This decline is concerning as it suggests that corruption could be on the rise again, potentially due to political or institutional instability.
Overall, despite some progress over the years, systemic corruption remains a significant obstacle to good governance and public trust in Italy. Continued and enhanced efforts are necessary to address these deep-rooted issues and ensure a more transparent and accountable public sector.