Cyprus ranked 49th in 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index amid official warnings

Cyprus was ranked 49th out of 182 nations in the 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index, reflecting its global standing regarding public sector corruption. In December 2024, former Attorney General Costas Clerides stated that corruption is pervasive across almost all levels of the state machinery, including central government and municipal authorities. President Nikos Christodoulides has repeatedly emphasized that combating corruption is a primary goal of his administration. On February 23, 2024, the President noted that his lack of party affiliation provides him the independence necessary to take decisive action. Subsequently, on September 15, 2024, Christodoulides admitted that the country's international image has been damaged by corruption issues. He explained that this negative reputation makes attracting major foreign investors significantly more difficult, requiring double or triple the effort compared to other nations. These developments highlight the ongoing economic and political challenges posed by systemic corruption in Cyprus. The data suggests a worsening trend in the country's international corruption scores over recent years.