Corruption Perceptions Index 2025: Bulgaria's lowest score in more than a decade
A conversation about the alarming data from the Corruption Perceptions Index 2025 and their impact on investments and the country's economic development. This was shared by Mr. Kalin Slavov - Executive Director of TI Bulgaria, in the studio of "The Day Begins" on Bulgarian National Television.
Bulgaria ranks 84th out of 182 countries, which is one of the bottom position among the member states of the European Union.
The score for Bulgaria is 40 points out of 100 and the lowest score since 2012. The data shows a sustained negative trend in recent years.
The Corruption Perceptions Index is a composite indicator based on multiple international studies. Some of them report a deterioration in democratic practices, including problems in the electoral process and institutional stability.
Според данните от Индекса за 2025 година спадът в представянето на България се свързва и с политическата нестабилност и кризите на доверие в институциите.
An additional comparative indicator is Bulgaria's positioning in its path to the countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, where the country ranks 35th out of 38 countries.
The topic of the 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index is visible in the interview from 10:30 to 12:55 in the video.
Corruption and the business environment: direct impact on investment and economic development
According to the executive director of TI Bulgaria corruption has a direct impact on the economic environment and investment climate in Bulgaria. The Corruption Perceptions Index is used as a guide by international business when making long-term investment decisions.
Companies are less likely to invest in countries with high levels of corruption risk. As a result, such economies are more likely to make short-term and high-risk investments that do not create sustainable jobs and do not contribute to the structural development of the economy.
A Eurobarometer survey shows that 89% of Bulgarian companies perceive corruption as widespread, and 55% believe that it directly hinders their activities. This also shows a certain degree of adaptation of some businesses to the corruption environment," said Kalin Slavov.
An additional negative impact is the fact that a significant part of economic resources in Bulgaria are redistributed through the state budget and public procurement. When the rules for the distribution of these resources are not sufficiently transparent or are applied unevenly, a prerequisite is created for the construction of clientelistic economic models. In such an environment, companies are often forced to build dependencies on political or administrative decisions, instead of relying on competitiveness, innovation and quality of services.
Corruption remains one of the most serious structural problems facing the development of the Bulgarian economy and the competitiveness of business.
The interview emphasized that effective fight against corruption is not limited to increasing criminal sanctions. International experience shows that excessive criminal repression alone does not lead to a reduction in corruption. A comprehensive approach is needed, including transparency in the allocation of public resources, clear rules for business and effective control mechanisms.
You can also watch the entire interview with the executive director of TI Bulgaria on the Bulgarian National Television website, the show "The Day Begins".Денят започва“.
