Serbia Reports Lowest Ranking by Corruption Perception Index for Second Consecutive Year  

Belgrade (BETAPHOTO/ANA SLOVIC)

By the corruption perception index (CPI), Serbia ranks 96th out of 180 countries and territories, with 38 score, reported for the second consecutive year, which is its lowest index score so far, according to CPI 2021, published by Transparency International (TI) on Jan. 25.

Serbia did not make any progress, again reporting 38 score points, the same as in the year before, which is its lowest index score since 2012, when scores became comparable. Serbia shares 96th position with another five countries - Argentina, Brazil, Indonesia, Lesotho, and Turkey.

Serbia and other Western Balkan countries fall under the region of Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The country is no longer considered a democracy, but a hybrid regime and the government has become notorious for its strong influence on media outlets, harassment of independent critics and holding unfair elections, according to the report.  

The lack of transparency in relation to major foreign investments has provoked widespread concern, which has been demonstrated in a recent wave of public protests against the disputed lithium exploration project. The nationwide movement has forced the president and his ruling Serbian Progressive Party to change the Law on referendum and withdraw the laws facilitating land expropriation by the state.