Anti-Corruption and Integrity Outlook 2024

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OECD countries’ anti-corruption and integrity frameworks are improving, but there is a large implementation gap, meaning countries are open to corruption risk. Notably, OECD countries meet an average of 76% of OECD criteria on conflicts-of-interest regulations, but only 40% on practice. Similarly, countries meet 67% of criteria on corruption risk management and audit, but only 33% on practices.

A lack of effective monitoring and data collection makes it impossible for countries to know whether their policies and processes actually mitigate corruption risk and improve integrity in practice. It also prevents businesses and citizens from accessing useful information about governments’ efforts to curb corruption. And yet, only 12 OECD countries collect data on whether recommendations by internal auditors are followed by public organisations. Similarly, countries are not adequately tracking submissions of required interest declarations. And only nine countries track what jobs senior office holders take upon leaving public office, potentially exposing them to conflicts of interest. Although the OECD Public Integrity Indicators are addressing this data gap, strengthening national data collection efforts is crucial.

Shortcomings in OECD countries’ integrity frameworks are leaving countries exposed to corruption risks related to the green transition, the rise of AI, and foreign interference. Where integrity frameworks are not performing well, they are impeding governments’ abilities to respond effectively to these major challenges. Adjusting integrity frameworks, including incorporating new risks into strategies, is crucial to safeguarding the prosperity and democracies of OECD countries.