Transparency International’s 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), published on February 10, shows that weak institutions and weak democracy are increasing corruption risks across Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The region scored an average of 34 out of 100, reflecting a decade of stalled reforms. Of the 19 countries assessed, six recorded significant declines while only seven improved.
The report shows growing concentration of power, political pressure on the judiciary and shrinking civic space are weakening accountability and public oversight. Restrictions on media, civil society and independent watchdogs have made it harder to expose corruption, allowing abuse of power to persist.
Georgia (50) remains the highest-ranked country in the region, but Transparency International warns that democratic regress is increasing corruption risks. The report also emphasizes that Georgia stands at (22) among the region’s worst performers due to opaque governance and repression.
Despite the challenges, countries such as Ukraine (36) and Moldova (42) demonstrate that strong civil society and independent institutions can still drive meaningful anti-corruption progress
