In the report published by Transparency International on January 30, Azerbaijan ranked 154th out of 180 countries in the 2023 Corruption Perception Index, scoring 23 out of 100 possible points.

The document stated that widespread democratic backsliding and weakening justice systems weaken the control of corruption around the world. "Because institutions such as the police, prosecutor's office, and courts are often unable to investigate and punish those who abuse their powers. In a region where war and inflation have increased poverty levels, leaders must act for the common good. However, there are countless examples of public officials being systematically influenced to increase their power and steal public funds. "Leaders urgently need to strengthen the rule of law, rights, and democracy, but many are systematically attacking them," the report added.

"Until justice systems begin to punish wrongdoing and keep governments in check, corruption will continue to thrive. Where justice is violated or politically interfered with, ordinary people suffer. Leaders must devote all their efforts to ensuring the independence of institutions that protect the rule of law and fight corruption. It's time to put an end to impunity for corruption," Francois Valerian, the head of Transparency International, said.

Transparency International believes that autocracies are the main enablers of corruption. "Azerbaijan (23), Tajikistan (20), and Turkmenistan (18), which are in the last place in the region, continue to struggle with serious corruption problems. The ruling elite's authoritarian control over state institutions is firmly entrenched, and corruption is used to maintain power and evade accountability. "These countries' low scores reflect systemic governance deficiencies and a lack of independent oversight, where corruption permeates various levels of society and the state while undermining civil and political rights," the report said.

Notably, Azerbaijan's neighbor - Georgia, scored 53 points out of 100 possible and ranked 49th among 180 countries, and Armenia ranked 62nd with 47 points.