The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has clarified that the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) is the most widely recognized tool for measuring the “perceived levels of corruption” and does not represent an empirical study of the actual prevalence of corruption within a country. The ACC noted that the index, published annually by Transparency International, is compiled based on results from various external surveys and assessments. As the CPI is fundamentally based on perceptions, the commission emphasized that its scores and rankings reflect information derived from the subjective views of respondents rather than objective data on corruption cases.
The ACC highlighted that for the year 2025, the Maldives’ score and ranking were determined using only three data sources.
Those three sources are:
- Global Insight Country Risk Ratings
- World Bank Country Policy and Institutional Assessment (CPIA)
- Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem)
The commission pointed out that these three sources do not directly measure the actual extent of corruption in the Maldives. Furthermore, unlike many other nations, the Maldives’ score was derived from a very limited number of sources. Consequently, the ACC stated in its press release that it believes national-level discussions and increased public awareness are essential to ensure that the country’s score and ranking for 2025 lead to more meaningful and accurate outcomes.
The ACC also detailed its ongoing efforts to strengthen and enhance the National Integrity System of the Maldives. The commission noted that it is currently working with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to formulate a “National Anti-Corruption Policy” that aligns with the nation’s long-term strategic plans and the “Maldives 2.0” vision.
In addition, the commission confirmed its collaboration with other international counterparts in the technical development of the “Measuring Effectiveness of Anti-Corruption Agencies” initiative, a new project led by the International Anti-Corruption Academy (IACA).
