For the eighth consecutive year, Serbia has experienced a drop in its global ranking concerning the perception of corruption within the public sector, according to the 2024 rankings. The Corruption Perception Index (CPI) stood at 35, placing Serbia 105th out of 180 countries—its lowest position since 2012, when the current methodology was introduced, as reported by Transparency Serbia (TS) yesterday.

Transparency International (TI) revealed that Serbia’s index has declined by one point, and its ranking has fallen by one position compared to last year.

A total of 180 nations and territories were assessed, on a scale from 0 to 100, with South Sudan at the bottom with a score of eight, and Denmark at the top with an index of 90.

This year, Serbia shares its 105th rank with Ukraine. Among neighboring countries, only Bosnia and Herzegovina performed worse, with a score of 33, as per the Beta agency.

Albania, previously at the same ranking with Serbia two years prior, now has an index of 42. North Macedonia scores 40, Hungary 41, Bulgaria 43, and Montenegro and Romania both at 46, while Croatia has an index of 47. Kosovo, evaluated separately, has a score of 44.

Among the former republics of SFRY, Slovenia remains the best performer with a score of 60, an improvement of four points from last year.

Despite the Serbian Government implementing a new Anti-Corruption Strategy aiming for a CPI of 43 by 2028, Serbia currently trails behind the global average by eight points.

The average score across Europe is 56, while EU members score an average of 62.

After Denmark, the rankings continue with Finland (88) and Singapore (84), which has surpassed New Zealand (83).

The findings also indicate that EU membership does not ensure positive outcomes, as evidenced by the scores of regional neighbors. Hungary saw a one-point decrease to 41, Bulgaria dropped two points to 43, Romania remained at 46, and Croatia fell three points to 47.

Significant declines in the EU have been noted in Malta (from 51 to 46), Slovakia (from 54 to 49), Spain (from 60 to 56), and Portugal (from 61 to 57).

Among the former socialist countries in Europe, Estonia holds the top rank with a score of 76. Among non-EU nations, Georgia remains the leader despite its index falling from 56 to 54, then to 53 in 2024.

The TI regional report covering Eastern Europe and Central Asia highlights a weakening of democratic institutions and a decline in the rule of law, driven by internal strife and external pressures.

This environment fosters corruption and erodes public trust and sustainable development.

Serbia is noted as one of the countries “under scrutiny” in the regional report, which states, “Serbia (35) continues to decline in the Corruption Perceptions Index, coinciding with the growing dominance of the executive and institutional vulnerability to corruption, particularly under President Aleksandar Vučić.”

It was also noted that the government’s response to a tragic incident involving the collapse of a canopy at a renovated railway station in Novi Sad—resulting in 15 fatalities—ignited nationwide protests calling for accountability and emphasizing corruption issues. In an effort to quell the unrest, Vučić allowed the release of many documents relating to the station’s renovation.

Details obtained from certain documents, along with a non-transparent subcontractor selection process, have heightened suspicions about the project’s financial excesses, according to Transparency Serbia.

They also pointed out that three months following the incident, the Novi Sad public prosecutor made an announcement regarding the investigation of potential corruption for the first time.

The Serbian government relies heavily on interstate agreements and special laws that lack adequate anti-corruption measures when it comes to the EXPO exhibition and other projects scheduled through 2027, valued at approximately $18.5 billion, according to Transparency Serbia’s statement.

Inadequate Work of the Prosecution

TS program director Nemanja Nenadić identified the insufficient performance of the prosecutor’s office as a significant barrier to effectively combating corruption in Serbia.

“Prosecutors are not actively pursuing investigations into corruption cases, even when they possess sufficient evidence, a concern we have raised for several years,” Nenadić stated.

He emphasized the need for prosecutors who can promptly and effectively respond to all publicly acknowledged and documented concerns.

According to Nenadić, individual incidents, such as the canopy collapse at the Novi Sad station, have little to no impact on the Corruption Perception Index score.

The authorities’ approach to transparency in the aftermath of the canopy collapse has mainly been to release some project-related documents, he noted.

However, critical financial data related to the project remains undisclosed, he stressed.

“As a response from the Serbian Government, there has been no fundamental change in operational practices, nor sufficient transparency in the selection of state partners or the implementation of contracts,” he stated.

“While numerous documents have been published, the established practices regarding the multitude of projects on which Serbia expends billions of euros have not altered,” Nenadić added.

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