Argentina is listed as one of the most corrupt countries in the world, with a worsening scenario over the last five years, according to the 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index released by NGO Transparency International on Tuesday. In 2025, Argentina achieved a score of 36 out of 100 points, which is one point lower than the 37 points recorded in 2024. The index assesses 182 nations and regions worldwide, delivering outcomes on a scale from 0 (signifying high corruption) to 100 (indicating very low corruption), grounded in the views of experts and business professionals. Argentina achieved the 104th spot out of 182 in the 2025 global ranking, marking an advancement of five positions from the 2024 ranking, which reflects an increased awareness of corruption in the nation. The report accompanying the results indicated that Argentina’s drop in the ranking was linked to a corruption investigation looking into a purported bribery scheme associated with the now-defunct National Disability Agency.
In August, the former director of the agency, Diego Spagnuolo, was dismissed after leaked audio recordings surfaced, in which he claimed that Presidency Secretary Karina Milei was accepting bribes from pharmaceutical and medical supplies companies in exchange for state contracts. Spagnuolo is currently facing legal action for allegedly coordinating the scheme alongside other former government officials. Karina Milei, sister of President Javier Milei, has not faced any charges. “In Argentina, investigations into alleged corruption in the management of funds for medicines for people with disabilities indicate […] risks for vulnerable groups,” stated the report. “The unfortunate situation for Argentina is undoubtedly tied to the government’s disinterest in advancing anti-corruption measures,” remarked Pablo Secchi. In addition to the bribes within the disability sector, Secchi highlighted the scandal, where President Milei endorsed a cryptocurrency scam through his own X account.
Argentina reached its highest score in 2019, hitting 45, but this number has been decreasing each year since then. Argentina joined the index in 2012 with a score of 35. The minimum score noted was in 2015, totaling 32. The global average score for 2025 stands at 42 out of 100, suggesting that Argentina is classified as one of the more corrupt nations, though it is not at the lowest end of the scale. Somalia and South Sudan were recognized as the nations with the most significant levels of perceived corruption, each receiving a score of 9 points. Denmark demonstrated the least amount of corruption, achieving a score of 89. The average score has fallen to its lowest level in more than a decade. The organization reports that a substantial number of countries, specifically two thirds, received scores under 50, suggesting that most nations are struggling to manage corruption effectively. “The Americas demonstrate a lack of advancement in combating corruption,” stated in its report. The region attained an average score of 42 out of 100, consistent with the global average.
Argentina is listed as one of the 15 most corrupt nations out of the 33 countries in the Americas included in the index. The report emphasized serious consequences for citizens arising from corruption in public services in countries such as Argentina and Peru. The latter, which scored 30, was involved in a scandal concerning alleged bribes to bypass health inspections, reportedly leading to the distribution of contaminated food in public schools. Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Haiti continue to hold the lowest scores in the region, characterized by significant levels of repression, ineffective or compromised institutions, and pervasive corruption. “In Venezuela, the country’s low score reflects years of widespread corruption and illicit activities that have seen poverty and malnutrition soar as millions of families survive on limited food, water, and electricity,” stated Transparency International. At the forefront of the rankings in the Americas were Canada (75), Uruguay (73), and Barbados (68), identified by the NGO as some of the region’s strongest democracies, although they noted that “limited growth and setbacks are concerning.” The United States recorded its lowest score ever, coming in at 64.