El Salvador scored 32 out of 100 in the 2025 Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), a modest but notable improvement in a global ranking that tracks perceived public-sector corruption—The country’s score increased by two points from the previous year.
El Salvador now ranks 120 out of 182 countries included in the index, placing it in the lower tier globally despite the slight improvement in its overall score.
The Corruption Perceptions Index evaluates nations based on expert assessments and surveys measuring perceived levels of corruption across government institutions, public services, and political systems.
| 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ranking | 113 | 104 | 115 | 116 | 126 | 130 | 120 |
| Score | 34 | 36 | 34 | 33 | 31 | 30 | 32 |
El Salvador shares the 120th position with Angola, the Philippines, and Togo, highlighting how countries with different political and economic realities can register similar perceptions of corruption.
The latest ranking raises critical questions about the effectiveness of anti-corruption efforts in El Salvador and its broader implications for democracy and economic stability.
The 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) shows that corruption remains a serious threat in every part of the world, although there are limited signs of progress. Leaders must act to tackle abuses of power and the wider factors driving this decline, such as the roll-back of democratic checks and balances, and attacks on independent civil society. Corruption Perceptions Index.
Central America
In Central America, Costa Rika ranks first with a global ranking of 46 and a score of 56. Panama follows in second with a score of 33 and a ranking of 116, while El Salvador ranks third in the region.
Nicaragua ranks last in Central America with a score of 14 and a global ranking of 175. Honduras follows in second to last with a score of 22 and a global ranking of 157, while Guatemala is third to last with a score of 26 and a global ranking of 142.
Latin America
In Latin America, Uruguay leads with a global ranking of 17 and a score of 73, followed by Chile in second place with a score of 63 and a ranking of 31.
On the other end, Venezuela ranks last at 180 with a score of 10, while Nicaragua is second to last with a score of 14 and a global ranking of 175.
SEE ALSO: Living in El Salvador: Top Reasons for Moving to El Salvador
Since its launch in 1995, Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index has become a leading global measure of public-sector corruption.
It draws on 13 external sources, including the World Bank, the World Economic Forum, and risk assessment firms, compiling expert and business perspectives.
