2 days ago
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Belize has once again been assessed on the international stage following the release of Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index 2025, a global report that measures how public sector corruption is viewed by experts and business leaders around the world. The index ranks more than 180 countries on a scale from zero to one hundred, where zero represents highly corrupt public institutions and one hundred represents very clean governance. Rather than counting individual scandals, the report evaluates confidence in government systems, including how public funds are managed, whether contracts are transparent and whether institutions are trusted to act fairly. Globally, the situation remains troubling, as the world average stands at 42 points, meaning most countries are still perceived to face notable corruption challenges.
In the 2025 report, Belize recorded a score of 36 out of 100 and placed 104th out of 182 countries. The result positions Belize below the global average and among the lower-ranking Caribbean states, although it still performs better than some countries in the wider developing world. While the score appears modest, the longer historical trend shows a more complex picture. Belize’s performance has fluctuated significantly over the past two decades. The country recorded its best performance in 2003 with a score of 45 but later fell to a low of 29 in 2008. More recently, Belize improved to 43 in 2022 before declining again to 36 in the latest report. This means the country’s current standing remains above its historical low, but still short of its strongest performance.
International observers say scores in the 30-point range generally suggest weaknesses in accountability systems and public trust rather than extreme or systemic corruption. The index therefore reflects reputation and institutional confidence more than individual allegations. Transparency International notes that corruption perceptions directly affect development, investment confidence and international partnerships, since countries seen as more transparent tend to attract stronger economic cooperation and funding opportunities. Overall, Belize’s latest result suggests the country remains in a middle-lower tier globally, not among the worst performers, but still facing ongoing challenges in strengthening institutional trust and governance consistency.
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