Transparency international, a non governmental organization at the forefront of the fight against corruption, has released the 2011 edition of its annual Corruption perceptions Index (CPI). The institutional and regulatory framework in which economic activities take place affects the way in which resources are being shared, investments decisions oriented, and creativity and innovation stimulated. Corruption weakens countries and damages the stability and the security of decisions taken by economic actors.

The composite index CPI measures the perception of corruption in the public sector in 183 countries. It is calculated on the basis of information deriving from 17 surveys carried out by 13 international institutions among experts and corporate decision-makers. The CPI is measured on a scale from 10 (high level of integrity) to 0 (high level of corruption). The sources used to calculate the CPI contain questions on power abuse and focus on bribes paid to civil servants or paid in the context of public tenders, on the misappropriation of public funds, as well as on questions relating to the strength and efficiency of the fight against corruption in the public sector. Thus, these questions globally address the administrative and political aspects of corruption. The results are then used to rank the countries/territories according to the perceived level of corruption in the national public sector.

In the 2011 edition, New-Zealand, Denmark and Finland stay on top of the list. Together with Ireland, Luxembourg ranks on the 11th global position, with a score of 8.5. Germany is 14th, Belgium 19th and France 25th. Within Europe, Luxembourg ranks on place 7. Thus Luxembourg belongs to those countries in which corruption in the public sector is perceived as being less important.

  http://www.odc.public.lu/actualites/2011/12/Corruption_perception/index.html