The Maldives saw a one-point decline in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2024, released on Tuesday, scoring 38 out of 100 and ranking 96th among 180 countries.
Transparency Maldives, the local chapter of the international anti-corruption watchdog, warned that the score indicates “little to no progress” in combating corruption, with systemic issues persisting at the highest levels of power. “This score highlights the need for strengthened investigation, prosecution and implementation of laws to hold corrupt political and public officials accountable,” the organisation said in a statement issued in conjunction with the release of the CPI.
The CPI, which assesses perceived corruption in the public sector, showed that the Maldives remains among the two-thirds of countries scoring below 50, a threshold Transparency International considers indicative of serious corruption problems.
The report linked the country’s governance challenges to weak oversight, the failure to prosecute those involved in past corruption scandals, and limited independence for regulatory bodies. “Most independent oversight bodies are unable to effectively and independently carry out their mandate due to financial and other technical constraints and political influence,” Transparency Maldives said.
Corruption and Climate Action
Transparency Maldives also raised concerns about corruption’s impact on climate action, a key focus of this year’s CPI. The watchdog said manipulated environmental impact assessments, opaque island leasing, and politically driven development projects were contributing to environmental damage.
“In a climate-vulnerable country like the Maldives, corruption also threatens lifesaving climate funds, not only diverting resources away from those who need them most but also weakening essential resilience measures,” it said.
The organisation criticised the government’s recent decision to merge the climate change and tourism ministries, warning it could “lead to major undermining of climate risks and increased corruption vulnerability within the sector.”
Calls for Reform
Transparency Maldives called on the government to strengthen anti-corruption laws, ensure greater transparency in public decision-making, and provide independent oversight bodies with adequate resources.
It urged authorities to enhance whistleblower protections, enforce asset declaration rules, and improve access to justice. “The absence of a strong regulatory framework and insufficient oversight are critical factors contributing to the lack of transparency and the persistence of impunity among wrongdoers,” the statement said.
The Maldives is a signatory to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) and recently joined the Open Government Partnership (OGP), commitments that Transparency Maldives said must translate into concrete action.
“The state must commit to institutionalising inclusive decision-making processes and fostering multi-stakeholder collaboration to combat corruption at all levels,” it added.