Muscat – Oman has made a notable improvement in the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) published by Berlin-based Transparency International, climbing 20 places to rank 50th globally out of 180 countries.

In the Arab world, Oman secured fourth place, up from seventh in 2023, with its score rising from 43 to 55.

The CPI is a widely regarded measure of perceived corruption in the public sector, assessing countries on a scale from 0 (highest perceived corruption) to 100 (lowest perceived corruption).

Dr Hamyar bin Nasser al Mahrooqi, Director of the Awareness and Integrity Promotion Department at the State Audit Institution (SAI), attributed Oman’s progress to its efforts to safeguard public funds, improve transparency, and promote integrity.

“Oman’s achievement of fourth place in the Arab world enhances its positive reputation and underscores its status as a favourable environment for work and investment,” said Dr Mahrooqi. He highlighted that the CPI is a reliable international indicator based on rigorous procedures covering 180 countries globally.

Within the GCC, the UAE ranked highest at 23rd, followed by Qatar and Saudi Arabia (38th), Bahrain (53rd), and Kuwait (65th).

Globally, Denmark retained the top spot, followed by Finland and Singapore. At the other end of the index, South Sudan ranked 180th, with Somalia, Venezuela, Syria, and Libya among the lowest performers.

Transparency International noted that corruption remains a global challenge, with over two-thirds of countries scoring below 50 and the global average stuck at 43. The report emphasised that persistent corruption levels are a critical obstacle to achieving effective governance and climate action.

Oman’s rise in the index reflects the collaborative efforts of SAI, the National Competitiveness Office, and other stakeholders to enhance transparency and accountability. Dr Mahrooqi explained that these initiatives include improving supervision, raising institutional and public awareness, and aligning efforts with Oman Vision 2040.

SAI’s community-focused programmes, outlined in its annual media plan, aim to promote the importance of integrity in public office and the protection of public funds. Additionally, the institution issues a community summary alongside its annual report submitted to His Majesty the Sultan.

Efforts are ongoing to engage with international organisations and expand the number of institutions assessing Oman’s performance. These measures aim to identify areas for improvement, address any shortcomings, and demonstrate Oman’s commitment to fostering a transparent and competitive work environment.

The substantial improvement in Oman’s score indicates its growing emphasis on tackling corruption and aligning with global standards.