Established democracies’ efforts against public-sector corruption appear to be flagging, according to a survey that serves as a barometer of perceived corruption worldwide.

Residents express concerns about water pressure and sustainability as officials provide insights into the project's impact.

Countries with the least corruption have been best positioned to weather the health and economic challenges of the coronavirus pandemic, according to a closely-watched annual study released Thursday by anti-graft watchdog organization Transparency International. The link between corruption and coronavirus response could be widely seen around the world, according to the report's analysis. 1 as the least corrupt nation with a score of 88 and has been lauded for its pandemic response, there was room for improvement, Transparency noted. “While the government communicates openly about the measures and policies it puts in place, more transparency is needed around public procurement for COVID-19 recovery,” the organization wrote. Overall, of 180 countries surveyed, two thirds scored below 50 out of 100 and the average score was 43.