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30. Cambodia (CPI Score: 24) -

Cambodia's bustling streets and rich history contrast sharply with its CPI score of 24, signaling deep-rooted corruption that affects social and economic development, challenging the resilience of its people.

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29. Central African Republic (CPI Score: 24) -

With a CPI score of 24, the Central African Republic faces daunting challenges, where corruption exacerbates the struggles of one of the world's poorest populations, hindering efforts towards stability and justice.

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28. Guatemala (CPI Score: 24) -

Guatemala, known for its vibrant culture and natural beauty, grapples with a CPI score of 24. Corruption here stifles progress, affecting governance and eroding trust within the largest economy in Central America.

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27. Lebanon (CPI Score: 24) -

Lebanon's CPI score of 24 reflects a crisis where beauty and banking collide with corruption, leading to economic instability and social unrest, deeply impacting the Lebanese people's livelihoods and future.

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26. Nigeria (CPI Score: 24) -

Despite being Africa's largest economy, Nigeria's CPI score of 24 highlights the pervasive corruption that undermines its potential, affecting everything from basic services to the lucrative oil sector.

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25. Tajikistan (CPI Score: 24) -

Tajikistan's majestic landscapes are overshadowed by a CPI score of 24, indicating widespread corruption that hampers economic growth and governance, affecting its citizens' prospects and well-being.

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24. Azerbaijan (CPI Score: 23) -

Azerbaijan, straddling Europe and Asia, faces corruption with a CPI score of 23. Allegations of wealth accumulation by ruling families contrast with the aspirations of its people for fair governance.

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23. Honduras (CPI Score: 23) -

Honduras, with its CPI score of 23, illustrates the impact of corruption on a nation's fabric—eroding trust in institutions and dampening economic prospects in this Central American country.

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22. Iraq (CPI Score: 23) -

Iraq's rich cultural heritage and oil reserves are marred by a CPI score of 23, where corruption impedes reconstruction efforts and governance, deeply affecting its path to stability and prosperity.

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21. Myanmar (CPI Score: 23) -

Myanmar's breathtaking landscapes are contrasted by a CPI score of 23. The country's struggle with corruption stifles democracy and economic development, impacting its diverse population's hope for a better future.

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20. Zimbabwe (CPI Score: 23) -

Zimbabwe's story is one of vast potential, shadowed by corruption, with a CPI score of 23. Land confiscations and economic challenges paint a complex picture of resilience and struggle for its citizens.

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19. Eritrea (CPI Score: 22) -

In Eritrea, a score of 22 signals deep-rooted issues. Despite its small size, the impact of corruption is massive, affecting everything from human rights to freedom of expression.

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18. Sudan (CPI Score: 22) -

Sudan's CPI score of 22 reveals a landscape where bribes and financial misrepresentations hinder progress. The nation's quest for stability is often thwarted by these challenges.

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17. Congo (CPI Score: 21) -

The Republic of Congo, with a CPI score of 21, shows a nation under the tight grip of a long-standing regime. Allegations of amassed wealth contrast starkly with the daily realities of its people.

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16. Guinea-Bissau (CPI Score: 21) -

Guinea-Bissau's score reflects a country battling with corruption at all levels. With a GDP per capita that's among the world's lowest, the stakes are high in the fight against corruption.

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15. Democratic Republic of Congo (CPI Score: 20) -

Rich in minerals but plagued by corruption, the DRC's CPI score of 20 highlights the paradox of immense wealth beneath the ground and immense struggles above it.

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14. Chad (CPI Score: 19) -

Chad's challenges are mirrored in its CPI score. Amidst civil unrest and governance issues, corruption remains a critical barrier to development and peace.

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13. Comoros (CPI Score: 19) -

Comoros, with its picturesque landscapes, struggles with a corruption score of 19. The nation's unique scandals, including passport sales, underscore the creative lengths the corrupt will go to. 

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12. Nicaragua (CPI Score: 19) -

In Nicaragua, a CPI score of 19 paints a picture of widespread corruption, reaching from the streets up to the presidential palace, affecting the country's governance and trust.

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11. Turkmenistan (CPI Score: 19) -

Turkmenistan's story of corruption, reflected in its score, involves not just the public sector but seeps into everyday life, affecting how people interact with their government and each other.

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10. Burundi (CPI Score: 17) -

Burundi faces significant hurdles with a CPI score of 17. The country's economic struggles are compounded by corruption, making it hard for businesses to thrive and for society to progress.

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9. Equatorial Guinea (CPI Score: 17) -

Despite its wealth from oil reserves, Equatorial Guinea grapples with a CPI score of 17. The nation's riches are drained by corruption, affecting its economic stability and growth prospects.

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8. Haiti (CPI Score: 17) -

Haiti, with a CPI score of 17, tells a tale of resilience amidst adversity. Corruption here involves not just financial misdealings but also power plays that hinder the nation's recovery and development.

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7. North Korea (CPI Score: 17) -

North Korea's opaque regime is reflected in its CPI score of 17. The country's isolation exacerbates the challenges of corruption, affecting how it interacts with the rest of the world.

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6. Libya (CPI Score: 17) -

Libya's ongoing political instability and a CPI score of 17 highlight the complex relationship between governance, corruption, and societal wellbeing in a country rich in natural resources.

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5. Yemen (CPI Score: 16) -

Yemen's CPI score of 16 sheds light on the dire consequences of corruption, particularly in a nation already torn by civil war and humanitarian crises, highlighting the urgent need for governance reforms.

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4. Venezuela (CPI Score: 14) -

Venezuela's struggles are magnified by its CPI score of 14. Despite having the world's largest oil reserves, corruption has led to economic chaos, affecting every aspect of Venezuelan life.

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3. South Sudan (CPI Score: 13) -

As one of the world's newest countries, South Sudan's CPI score of 13 underscores the pervasive challenge of building a new nation's institutions in the shadow of corruption.

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2. Syria (CPI Score: 13) -

Syria's ongoing conflict and a CPI score of 13 illustrate the devastating impact of corruption on a country's social fabric, exacerbating the hardships faced by its people.

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1. Somalia (CPI Score: 12) -

Topping the list with a CPI score of 12, Somalia's extensive corruption challenges highlight the critical need for systemic change to foster stability and prosperity.

Sources: (Yahoo Finance) (Insider Monkey)

See also:  America's Gilded Age: A time of growth and corruption

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