PNG corruption rating plummets; transparency watchdog warns of 2027 election risks

Papua New Guinea remains among the most perceived corrupt countries in the world, according to the 2025 Corruption Perception Index [CPI] released this afternoon.

The report, published by Transparency International PNG [TIPNG], reveals that PNG scored just 26 out of 100, a significant four-point drop from its 2024 score of 31.

The CPI measures perceived public sector corruption based on expert assessments and business surveys. On the index's scale, 0 represents highly corrupt, while 100 indicates a very clean public sector, a tier typically occupied by nations such as Denmark, Finland, and Singapore.

Speaking at the launch, TIPNG Deputy Director Yuambari Haihuie said the results as deeply concerning. He said there is a urgent need for state agencies to collaborate with stakeholders and development partners to protect the integrity of the electoral process, with only 17 months remaining before the 2027 National Elections.

TIPNG Chief Executive Officer Arianne Kassman echoed these sentiments, saying the 2025 decline is not an isolated incident. Instead, she characterized it as a multi-year trend closely linked to the country's electoral cycles.

The corruption watchdog is calling for prioritized action in two key areas throughout 2026; strengthening integrity institutions and electoral safeguards.

TIPNG says there must be robust support for the processes and bodies that uphold the law.

They call on authorities to shield the 2027 elections against corruption risks to ensure a fair and transparent outcome.