Corruption in Germany describes the prevention and occurrence ofcorruption inGermany.Transparency International's 2024Corruption Perceptions Index scored Germany at 75 on a scale from 0 ("highly corrupt") to 100 ("very clean"). When ranked by score, Germany ranked 15th among the 180 countries in the Index, where the country ranked first is perceived to have the most honest public sector.[1] For comparison with regional scores, the best score among Western European andEuropean Union countries[Note 1] was 90, the average score was 64 and the worst score was 41.[2] For comparison with worldwide scores, the best score was 90 (ranked 1), the average score was 43, and the worst score was 8 (ranked 180).[3]
Transparency International’sGlobal Corruption Barometer 2013 reveals thatpolitical parties and businesses are the most corrupt institutions in Germany. The same report also indicates thatpetty corruption is not as common as in otherEuropean countries. The survey shows that 11% of the respondents claim to have been asked to pay a bribe at one point in their life and only a few of those said that they had refused to pay the bribe.[4]
According toFreedom House's report, Germany’s ability to ensure integrity and prevent corruption in state bodies is generally sufficient due to a strong institutional setup.[5]
