Transparency International’s 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) assigned Pakistan a score of 28 out of 100, placing it 136th among 182 countries. This score represents a one-point improvement for Pakistan, which previously scored 27 and ranked 135th among 180 countries.
The CPI measures the perceived public-sector corruption among experts and businesspeople. The IMF’s 2025 Governance and Corruption Diagnostic for Pakistan asserts that weak governance and corruption significantly impact economic growth and investment.
Experts suggest that every one-point rise in the CPI correlates with a four percent boost in a nation’s investment rate. The 2025 National Corruption Perception Survey (NCPS) covered 20 districts across all four provinces.
The 2025 NCPS gathered 3,989 completed responses. Police emerged as the most corrupt sector, cited by 24% of respondents.
Tendering and procurement ranked second for corruption, identified by 16%. The judiciary was named the third most corrupt sector, according to 14%.
Data indicated that 66% of people reported not paying a bribe for a public service within the preceding 12 months. However, 77% expressed dissatisfaction with government actions aimed at fighting corruption.
Transparency International Pakistan (TIP) changed its sampling method in 2025, moving from non-probability convenience sampling to a multistage stratified cluster design. The Peshawar High Court previously ordered TIP to recall and republish its 2023 National Corruption Perception Survey in April 2024.
The court found deficiencies in “ethical and methodological rigour” concerning the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa judiciary. The court noted that while TIP reported 760 respondents paid a bribe, responses from another 788 respondents lacked adequate explanation.
Consequently, the Peshawar High Court ordered TIP to recall the 2023 report and issue a revised version containing the relevant data and public-opinion ratios.
