Most Corrupt Countries, Ranked By Perception
'When you fight corruption, it fights back.'

By Rachel Dicker | Staff Writer Feb. 11, 2016, at 9:00 a.m.
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10 Most Corrupt Countries, Ranked By Perception
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A man stands next to a placard reading "No electricity! No industries!! No jobs!!! Provide electricity, revive industries, provide decent jobs" during a demonstration to protest against the 45 percent raise of electricity prices on February 8, 2016 in Lagos. Labour unions under the umbrella of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) in collaboration with civil society groups and students organized a protest rally to reject the recent increase in electricity tariffs, which became effective on February 1, 2016. / AFP / PIUS UTOMI EKPEI (Photo credit should read PIUS UTOMI EKPEI/AFP/Getty Images)

People demonstrate against a rise in electricity prices in Lagos, Nigeria. (AFP/Getty Images)

Corruption lingers at the core of many of the world's underdeveloped nations.

Nigeria, the most populated country in Africa, is perceived to be the most corrupt among 60 countries evaluated, according to data from the 2016 Best Countries rankings. The rankings are a characterization of 60 countries based on a survey of more than 16,000 people from four regions.

In the survey, respondents answered how closely they related each of the 60 countries to the term "corrupt." Respondents were given no further specifications of the term, so interpretation of the word "corrupt" was left to survey respondents.

Elections in Nigeria face scrutiny, even though government accountability is seen as having improved. In 2015, President Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari became the first opposition party candidate to win an election. As part of his presidential campaign, Buhari promised to crack down on corruption.

"When you fight corruption, it fights back," Nuhu Ribadu, the former chairman of Nigeria's Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, said in a TedX talk in Berlin.

[READ: Explore the rankings, data, video and news from Best Countries.]

Nigeria's former national security adviser, Sambo Dasuki, is scheduled to face trial on charges of fraud and money laundering, according to Bloomberg. It is the country's first high-profile corruption trial since Buhari took office.

In November, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari attributed this incident – and other alleged abuses of power – to the country's inability to defend itself from other threats, including Boko Haram, an extremist group that began its conquest in 2009 to create an Islamic state.

Russia, seen as the second-most powerful country in the world, is also seen as the sixth most corrupt.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, Colombia – a country synonymous with illegal drug kingpins like Pablo Escobar – gives Nigeria a run for its money as the second most corrupt country, based on perception.

Below are the 10 countries perceived to be the most corrupt, according to data from the 2016 Best Countries rankings.
Country Name Corrupt Rank Best Countries Overall Rank
Nigeria 1 57
Colombia 2 49
Iran 3 58
Pakistan 4 56
Mexico 5 27
Russia 6 24
Algeria 7 60
Egypt 8 39
Kazakhstan 9 55
Bolivia 10 54

We know tey tey.

A few weeks ago a ranking was released and Nigeria was not there


this 2016 ranking ??

Ofege, na wash

Nigerian Constitution makes Nigerians corrupt. The NASS should amend the constitution to grant FULL AUTONOMY to State Governors. let the people face their Governors and not the President. Nigeria is too big and varied for one bigot to control.

i should believe this poo? never