The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has clarified that the Maldives’ score in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) is calculated based on data drawn from a limited number of sources, rather than from direct measurements of corruption within the country.

In a statement, the ACC said the Maldives’ CPI score and ranking for 2025 were compiled using inputs from three sources: the Global Insight Country Risk Ratings, the World Bank Country Policy and Institutional Assessment, and the Varieties of Democracy. The Commission noted that these assessments are perception-based studies and do not directly measure the prevalence of corruption on the ground.

The CPI is published annually by Transparency International and is widely used as a global indicator of perceived public sector corruption. The index aggregates findings from multiple independent institutions and ranks countries based on expert and business perceptions of corruption. The ACC emphasised that the CPI reflects perceptions rather than verified incidents or case statistics.

The Commission said the Maldives’ CPI score is based on fewer data sources compared to many other countries included in the index. It noted that this limitation highlights the importance of strengthening national integrity systems and improving the availability of credible data to ensure a more comprehensive reflection of governance and anti-corruption efforts.

The ACC said ongoing efforts are focused on strengthening the Maldives’ National Integrity System, with the National Anti-Corruption Policy being aligned with the Maldives 2.0 digital transformation agenda and the National Integrity Plan. The Commission added that work is under way to further strengthen institutional capacity with technical support from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

In addition, the ACC said it is participating in international technical cooperation initiatives, including the International Anti-Corruption Academy’s programme on measuring the effectiveness of anti-corruption agencies. The Commission said such initiatives are aimed at improving institutional performance, accountability mechanisms, and evidence-based approaches to combating corruption in the Maldives.