Korea Control of Corruption
Control of Corruption CC.EST
Korea's control of corruption was 0.93 in 2025, ranked 41st globally. This represents a 3.7% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank WGI, covering 1996–2025.
Overview
Korea's control of corruption stood at 0.93 in 2025, a rise of +0.03 from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 0.93 by 2025. Korea ranked 41st globally.
South Korea’s control‑of‑corruption score rose from a trough of 0.27 in 2000 to an all‑time peak of 0.93 in 2025, the latest figure recorded by the World Bank’s Worldwide Governance Indicators and placing the country at 41st globally. Over the 26‑year coverage period the index more than tripled, reflecting successive reforms in public‑sector transparency, stricter enforcement of anti‑bribery statutes and the institutionalisation of whistle‑blower protections. The 2025 score matches that of Austria (0.93) and Chile (0.93) and exceeds Israel’s 0.89, indicating that South Korea now ranks alongside the higher‑performing OECD peers in perceived corruption control. The steep climb after the early‑2000s low suggests that policy continuity and digitalisation of government services have been effective, yet maintaining the upward trajectory will depend on further curbing political patronage and enhancing independent oversight mechanisms.
Data & projection
| Year | Control of Corruption | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 0.97 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 0.93 | - | - |
| 2025 | 0.93 | +0.03 | #41 |
| 2023 | 0.89 | +0.15 | #40 |
| 2022 | 0.75 | +0.02 | #46 |
| 2021 | 0.73 | +0.04 | #47 |
| 2020 | 0.70 | −0.01 | #50 |
| 2019 | 0.70 | +0.13 | #48 |
| 2018 | 0.57 | +0.13 | #56 |
| 2017 | 0.45 | +0.03 | #69 |
| 2016 | 0.42 | +0.08 | #68 |
| 2015 | 0.34 | −0.17 | #70 |
| 2014 | 0.51 | −0.07 | #59 |
| 2013 | 0.58 | +0.09 | #55 |
| 2012 | 0.50 | +0.01 | #57 |
| 2011 | 0.48 | +0.06 | #55 |
| 2010 | 0.43 | −0.07 | #58 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Korea matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2006. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw control of corruption improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Korea's control of corruption was 0.93 in 2025. Ranked 41st globally. This represents a 3.7% increase from the previous year.
Korea's control of corruption peaked at 0.93 in 2025.
The lowest control of corruption in Korea was 0.27 in 2000.
Korea ranks 41st globally in control of corruption as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is CC.EST. Data sourced from World Bank WGI.
Korea's control of corruption is projected to reach 0.93 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The control of corruption of Korea in 2025 was 0.93. This ranks 41st in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_korea_control-of-corruption,
title = {Korea Control of Corruption},
url = {https://historysaid.com/korea/control-of-corruption/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}