The Corruption Perceptions Index 2025 and its significance for corporate compliance

On 10 February 2026, Transparency International published the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2025, the world's most important indicator of perceptions of corruption in the public sector. The result is more than just a global ranking: it reflects political and institutional developments that are of immediate relevance to companies and compliance officers. Our blog post provides an overview of the results and explains their significance for corporate anti-corruption compliance.

Global trends: stagnation and setbacks

The CPI assesses 182 countries and territories on a scale of 0 (high perception of corruption) to 100 (low perception of corruption) based on the assessments of experts and executives. 

CPI 2025 shows that corruption remains a widespread global problem:

• The global average score is just 42 points, the lowest level in over a decade.
• More than two-thirds of countries score less than 50 points – a clear indication that in most countries, control and rule of law structures remain weak or are under pressure.
• Even in established democracies, setbacks can be observed as democratic control mechanisms such as an independent judiciary, free media and transparent political processes come under pressure.

These findings have a direct impact on the legal certainty and risk environment for companies operating internationally. This is because perceived corruption influences not only political decisions, but also economic conditions such as procurement procedures, regulatory enforcement and the integrity of public institutions.

Germany in the CPI 2025

• Position in the global ranking

Germany scores 77 out of 100 points in the CPI 2025, which puts it in a respectable 10th place in the international comparison. This means that the Federal Republic remains one of the ten countries with the lowest perceived corruption worldwide.

At first glance, this positioning is positive – it signals reliable state structures and comparatively low corruption risks. However, a closer look reveals a more nuanced picture.

• Improvement by two points – but long-term decline

Germany has improved by 2 points compared to the previous year and has risen 5 places in the ranking – but this increase is not solely a reflection of real improvements in the corruption situation. Rather, it can be explained in part by the fact that other countries have fallen more sharply in the ranking.

The long-term trend is more critical: a comparison over the last ten years shows that Germany has lost a total of 4 points over this period. This suggests that effective measures to combat corruption may not have been developed to the same extent in practice as in other countries.

• Civil society and control mechanisms under pressure

The report by Transparency International Germany explicitly points out that civil society control bodies are increasingly exposed to attacks – for example, in the form of defamation, hate speech or political pressure on critical organisations.

This development is not only a democratic problem: a strong, independent civil society is a central component of effective anti-corruption structures. Where it is weakened, the risk of corruption going undetected or unpunished increases.

• Dismantling control mechanisms – a warning sign

An additional structural warning sign concerns legislative measures that are being discussed in public debate under the banner of "bureaucracy reduction". Transparency International Germany, for example, criticises the fact that certain protective mechanisms in public procurement law have been restricted by newly adopted acceleration laws, even though greater transparency and control are needed, particularly in the context of large public investment programmes.

This debate is particularly relevant for companies and compliance officers: weaker control mechanisms in public procurement or in the allocation of subsidies not only increase the risk of corruption, but also exacerbate legal risks for companies in the bidding or contract phase.

Relevance for companies and compliance officers

Why is the CPI 2025 so important for companies and their compliance strategies? The answer lies in several mechanisms:

1. Risk analysis and strategic decisions

The CPI serves as an indicator of the external risk environment for many companies. A low score or a negative trend can mean:

• a higher probability of bribery attempts,
• stronger informal influence on decision-makers,
• less reliable law enforcement.

A well-founded anti-corruption risk assessment is therefore essential, especially when making international market or investment decisions.

2. Expectations of regulators and partners

Regulatory authorities, investors and business partners are increasingly placing value on structural compliance programmes that also address political and institutional risks. Companies are assessed on the extent to which they implement active prevention and control mechanisms that go beyond internal ethical regulations.

3. Reputational risks and sustainable action

In an environment where perceptions of corruption and public scepticism are growing, mere participation in business processes can make a company appear to be involved in systemic risk – even if there are no specific wrongdoings. Effective compliance programmes therefore serve not only to avoid legal issues, but also to strengthen stakeholder confidence.

ADVANT Beiten: Your partner for robust anti-corruption compliance

Against the backdrop of the CPI 2025 results, it is clear that systematic and legally compliant anti-corruption compliance remains a key success factor – both for national companies and for internationally active corporations:

Risk-based compliance programmes

We help you develop risk-based compliance programmes that:

• are tailored to the specific risks of your industry and business processes,
• take into account legal requirements such as the German Section 299 of the Criminal Code, international standards (e.g. OECD anti-bribery rules) and EU directives.

Internal control and governance structures

We review existing control mechanisms, guidelines and internal processes to identify weaknesses and minimise legal risks – including in the areas of public procurement, lobbying, procurement law and third-party risks.

Training and awareness

A key component of any effective compliance strategy is training that equips managers and employees to deal with corruption risks and apply internal rules correctly.

Advice in suspected cases and crisis management

If you are confronted with suspected corruption, we will support you not only in the legal assessment, but also in communicating with authorities and developing strategic countermeasures.

Conclusion

Transparency International's CPI 2025 shows that corruption remains a global challenge – even for stable democracies such as Germany. Despite a good ranking for the time being, long-term trends and structural weaknesses are reason enough to view compliance not as a chore, but as a strategic necessity.

Especially in times of changing regulatory conditions and growing social expectations, it is crucial to anchor compliance systematically and sustainably. ADVANT Beiten supports you in this as a competent legal partner – in line with the growing relevance of the CPI in your business practice.

Martin Seevers