Iran has slipped to its lowest corruption ranking yet since global watchdog Transparency International began tracking, sinking to 151 out of 180 countries.

According to Transparency International’s 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) released Tuesday, Iran fell by one spot from the previous year, scoring 23 out of 100, where zero means most corrupt and 100, least.

The CPI, the most widely used global corruption ranking in the world, assesses countries and territories annually on how corrupt their public sector is perceived to be by experts.

It covers various markers of public sector corruption, including the misuse of public power for private benefit without facing consequences, bribery, diversion of public funds, nepotistic appointments and access to information on public affairs or government activities.

Each country’s score is drawn from 13 different corruption surveys and assessments by a variety of institutions including the World Bank and the World Economic Forum.

Transparency International reported that 47 countries recorded their lowest scores since the current ranking system was introduced in 2012.

Iran's score was lower than Iraq's at 26 but higher than Lebanon's at 22.

South Sudan, Somalia and Venezuela held the lowest scores in 2024.

Transparency International said the "state of anti-corruption efforts in the Middle East and North Africa region remains bleak," attributing the stagnation to the near-absolute control of political leaders.

The global watchdog added that countries experiencing conflict, severe restrictions on freedoms, and weak democratic institutions, rank lowest on the index.

The watchdog said that leaders in the region benefit from wealth directed toward themselves while suppressing dissent to maintain power.

Their authority, it added, has also stalled progress on global issues such as combating climate change and advancing gender equity.

In October 2023, a report by the World Bank has put Iran among the worst countries in the world in terms of Worldwide Governance Indicators, with a Voice and Accountability Index score of -1.45, placing it among the lowest for political participation, free expression, and media freedom.