Maldives Drops One Spot in Corruption Perceptions Index

The Maldives has fallen by one position in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) for 2024, moving from 39 to 38.

Released today by Transparency International, the CPI ranks 180 countries and territories based on perceived levels of public sector corruption, using a scale from zero (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean). With a score of 38, the Maldives remains among the two-thirds of countries that score below 50.

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This year’s CPI highlights how corruption undermines global climate action.

In a press release, Transparency Maldives stated that the Maldives’ ranking reflects minimal progress in tackling corruption over the past year.

“This score highlights the need for strengthened investigation, prosecution and enforcement of laws to hold corrupt political and public officials accountable,” the organisation stated.

PRESS STATEMENT: Corruption Perceptions Index #CPI2024 released today by @anticorruption reveals that the Maldives, has fallen one point in the CPI score, from 39 to 38, and remains amongst the two-thirds of countries to score below 50. pic.twitter.com/jkKWizywU8— Transparency MV (@TransparencyMV) February 11, 2025

Transparency Maldives also noted that corruption persists at the highest levels of power. The failure to hold those involved in past cases of grand corruption accountable has further contributed to the country’s low ranking.

Corruption and Climate Action

Transparency Maldives warned that weak legal frameworks and the absence of independent oversight create conditions for corruption to thrive. Oversight bodies often struggle with political influence and a lack of financial and technical resources.

The organisation also raised concerns over the misappropriation of climate funds, particularly in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) like the Maldives. It noted that environmental policies are frequently weakened in favour of politically motivated infrastructure projects. Manipulated Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) and the prioritisation of development projects over climate concerns were cited as key contributors to corruption in this sector.

Transparency Maldives further expressed concern over the government’s recent decision to merge the Ministry of Climate Change, Environment and Energy with the Ministry of Tourism. It warned that conflicting mandates between the two former ministries could lead to the downplaying of climate risks and a lack of effective environmental governance.

Recommendations for the Maldives

Transparency Maldives echoed Transparency International’s recommendations to address the country’s ranking, including:

• Strengthening integrity and safeguarding climate initiatives
• Improving disaster preparedness systems
• Enhancing transparency and accountability at all stages of climate action projects
• Strengthening regulatory frameworks
• Improving access to justice and ensuring transparency in legal proceedings
• Upholding international anti-corruption commitments
• Strengthening public participation and decentralisation
• Providing oversight and investigative institutions with adequate resources to conduct transparent and timely investigations

A key recommendation is the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as an independent body with guaranteed funding, free from political influence, to ensure transparency and effectiveness in environmental governance.