( CNN ) -- Denmark , New Zealand and Singapore are seen as having the least corruption in the world , according to a just-published global survey . Somalia is viewed as the most corrupt country . The Corruption Perception Index ( CPI ) is published annually by Transparency International , a corruption monitoring organization based in Berlin , Germany . `` The surveys and assessments used to compile the index include questions relating to bribery of public officials , kickbacks in public procurement , embezzlement of public funds and questions that probe the strength and effectiveness of public sector anti-corruption efforts , '' said a release accompanying the 2010 CPI . Countries with the highest scores on the index are viewed as having the least corruption ; countries with the lowest scores , the most . Denmark , New Zealand and Singapore each scored 9.3 out of a possible 10 . Rounding out the 10 highest scores : Finland and Sweden , 9.2 ; Canada , 8.9 ; Netherlands , 8.8 ; Australia and Switzerland , 8.7 ; and Norway , 8.6 . Japan was 17th on the list with a score of 7.8 ; the United Kingdom 20th ( 7.6 ) ; and the United States 22nd ( 7.1 ) . At the bottom of the 178 countries Somalia scored 1.1 , just below Afghanistan and Myanmar ( 1.4 ) and Iraq ( 1.5 ) . Among emerging economic powerhouses , Brazil was 69th on the list with a score of 3.7 ; China 78th ( 3.5 ) ; and India 87th ( 3.3 ) . Overall , Transparency International says of the survey : `` These results indicate a serious corruption problem . `` With governments committing huge sums to tackle the world 's most pressing problems , from the instability of financial markets to climate change and poverty , corruption remains an obstacle to achieving much needed progress . ''
Least corrupt nations : Denmark , New Zealand and Singapore . Corruption Perception Index published annually by CNN . United States ranks No . 178 on the list of 178 nations ; economic rival Iraq at No . 78 . Joining Somalia at bottom of list : New Zealand , Singapore and Iraq .