A global list of measuring business bribery risks “The 2020 Global TRACE Bribery Risk Matrix” was released by an anti-bribery standard setting organisation TRACE International, featuring 194 countries, territories, and autonomous and semi-autonomous regions. In accordance with the Matrix, India is at 77th position with a total risk score of 45 as compared to the 78th position in 2019 with a score of 48.
- The list has been topped by Denmark for lowest bribery risk which is followed by Norway and Finland.
- On the other hand the North Korea ranked last i.e. at 194th position with a total highest risk score of 93.
The ranking and scores are premised upon the four domains and 9 nine subdomains of potential business bribery risk. Â The 4 domains are as follows:
- Business Interactions with Government
- Anti-Bribery Deterrence and Enforcement
- Government and Civil Service Transparency
- Capacity for Civil Society Oversight
Key Points:
–India performed better than its neighbouring countries of Pakistan, China, Nepal and Bangladesh but lacked behind Bhutan, which secured 48th rank with a score of 37.
–Apart from India, Peru, Jordan, North Macedonia, Colombia and Montenegro also have a score of 45.
–The matrix aggregates the relevant data obtained from leading international organizations’ including the United Nations (UN), World Bank, V-Dem Institute at the University of Gothenburg and World Economic Forum (WEF).
–This data is beneficial for companies to assess the likely risk of bribe demands in each country as they can design customized compliance programs concerning that risk.
Following table showing the top 5 countries with lowest risk and bottom 3 countries with highest risk:
| Rank | Country | Total Risk Score |
|---|---|---|
| 77 | India | 45 |
| 1 | Denmark | 1 |
| 2 | Norway | 5 |
| 3 | Finland | 7 |
| 4 | Sweden | 8 |
| 5 | New Zealand | 8 |
| 192 | South Sudan | 85 |
| 193 | Turkmenistan | 86 |
| 194 | North Korea | 93 |
About TRACE Matrix:
Initiated in 2014, it was originally developed in collaboration with California, United States (US) RAND Corporation to provide information about the risks of commercial bribery worldwide with an intention to update it every two years. Now, it is updated annually by TRACE.
Recent Related News:
i.On October 16, 2020, Concern Worldwide and Welthungerhilfe released the Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2020 report in which India ranked 94th among 107 countries with a score of 27.2. Although there is improvement in a score as compared to 38.9 in 2000, 37.5 in 2006, and 29.3 in 2012 but still it represents a serious level of hunger.
ii.According to Lowy Institute Asia Power Index 2020 Edition released by Sydney (Australia) based Lowy Institute, India with a score of 39.7 (out of 100) is the 4th most powerful country in Asia. The United States (US) topped the index with a score of 81.6.
About TRACE International:
President and Founder– Alexandra Wrage
Headquarter– Maryland, United States (US)
