War-torn states are still seen as being the most corrupt in the world, according to a new report from Transparency International.
The Berlin-based watchdog monitors perceived corruption and has published its annual report, based on a poll of businesses and people in 178 nations.
The worst country is Somalia, followed by Burma, Afghanistan and Iraq.
Denmark, New Zealand and Singapore tie for top place as the world's least corrupt countries, with the UK 20th.
'Good governance needed'
Transparency International was founded in 1993 and is a non-governmental organisation that monitors corporate and political corruption.
In its latest report, Russia is rated as among the worst for corruption, in 154th place. And Italy, down in 67th spot, now comes below Rwanda.
Meanwhile, emerging economic powerhouse China is in 78th place.
Global corruption: Biggest changes
|
Improving* | 2009 rank | 2010 rank | Rise |
* COUNTRIES WHERE SOURCE DATA REMAINED THE SAME. SOURCE: TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL
|
1. Haiti
|
168
|
146
|
22
|
2. Ecuador
|
146
|
127
|
19
|
3. Gambia
|
106
|
91
|
15
|
4. Bhutan
|
49
|
36
|
13
|
Getting worse*
|
2009 rank
|
2010 rank
|
Fall
|
1. Madagascar
|
99
|
123
|
24
|
2. Niger
|
106
|
123
|
17
|
3. Greece
|
71
|
78
|
7
|
= 4. Hungary
|
46
|
50
|
4
|
= 4. Italy
|
63
|
67
|
4
|
It is the poor and vulnerable who suffer the consequences of corruption, Transparency International found.