Netherlands among the world's ten least corrupt countries

The Netherlands is among the top ten least corrupt countries in the world, according to the annual Corruption Perceptions Index by Transparency International. In 8th place with a score of 83 out of 100, the Netherlands stands above neighbors Germany (10th place) and Belgium (15th place).

The list consists of 176 countries. The average score was 43 out of 100.

Denmark and New Zealand came in a joint first place with a score of 90 each. Countries that scored well enjoy a large measure of press freedom, have access to information about government spending, are committed to striving for integrity and have an independent judicial system.

But this is not the case for all countries, suc as Somalia at the bottom of the list with a meager 10 points. In many countries "populist or autocratic leaders" put democracy on the back burner, AD quotes Jose Ugaz, president of Transparency International, as saying. Instead of dealing with "crony capitalism", such leaders create "worse forms" of corrupt systems.

"In too many countries, people are deprived of their most basic needs and go to bed hungry every night because of corruption, while th powerful and corrupt enjoy lavish lifestyles with impunity", Ugaz says in the report.