Transparency International’s 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index shows a continued deterioration in Serbia’s perceived level of public sector corruption.
With a score of 33 (on a scale from 0 — highly corrupt — to 100 — very clean), Serbia is:
With a score of 33 (on a scale from 0 — highly corrupt — to 100 — very clean), Serbia is:
In its regional assessment, Transparency International links corruption trends to weak institutions and democratic regression. The report notes that ineffective judicial action remains a major obstacle in several Western Balkan countries, while judges and prosecutors increasingly face political attacks.
As an illustration for Serbia, TI highlights developments concerning the Prosecutor’s Office for Organized Crime, citing pressure following investigations into alleged abuses by government members - including smear campaigns, obstruction of police cooperation, and legal amendments weakening the office’s capacity to investigate high-level corruption.
The report also points to non-transparent decision-making in high-value public and private investments, referencing the “Generalštab” case, where the Government signed a secret agreement with a foreign investor without competitive procedures and lifted cultural heritage protection to allow construction of a luxury hotel.
Globally, TI warns of worsening corruption trends and erosion of democratic safeguards, even in established democracies. It emphasizes that anti-corruption protests in 2025 - particularly youth-led demonstrations in countries in the lower half of the CPI ranking - reflect growing public dissatisfaction with stagnation and decline.
For the first time, Serbia ranks lowest in the Western Balkans and former Yugoslav region. In Europe, only Belarus (31), Turkey (31), and Russia (22) are ranked lower.
As an illustration for Serbia, TI highlights developments concerning the Prosecutor’s Office for Organized Crime, citing pressure following investigations into alleged abuses by government members - including smear campaigns, obstruction of police cooperation, and legal amendments weakening the office’s capacity to investigate high-level corruption.
The report also points to non-transparent decision-making in high-value public and private investments, referencing the “Generalštab” case, where the Government signed a secret agreement with a foreign investor without competitive procedures and lifted cultural heritage protection to allow construction of a luxury hotel.
Globally, TI warns of worsening corruption trends and erosion of democratic safeguards, even in established democracies. It emphasizes that anti-corruption protests in 2025 - particularly youth-led demonstrations in countries in the lower half of the CPI ranking - reflect growing public dissatisfaction with stagnation and decline.
