( CNN ) -- Afghanistan , North Korea and Somalia are seen as the most corrupt nations in the world , according to Transparency International 's latest survey , released Tuesday . More than two thirds of the 177 countries included in the 2013 Corruption Perceptions Index scored below 50 , where 0 indicates the country 's public sector is seen as highly corrupt and 100 as very clean . Denmark and New Zealand performed best with scores of 91 . Afghanistan , North Korea and Somalia tied last with 8 points each . `` All countries still face the threat of corruption at all levels of government , from the issuing of local permits to the enforcement of laws and regulations , '' said Huguette Labelle , Transparency International 's Chair in a statement . In Syria , where 100,000 have died in a conflict which began in 2011 and has now exploded into war , people regard its public sector as increasingly corrupt . The stricken nation dropped 9 points from 144th place to 168th . Libya , Yemen , Spain , Australia , Guatemala and Madagascar were among the other countries whose scores declined significantly . Myanmar saw the biggest improvement , rising from 5th last position in 2012 to 19 places from the bottom this year . The change reflects the benefits of introducing more open and democratic rules after years of military rule , according to Transparency International 's Asia Pacific Director , Srirak Plipat . Myanmar also ratified an international treaty against corruption in December 2012 and the parliament approved an anti-corruption law in July , although this is yet to come into force . While Greece 's score rose four points this year to 40 , but remained the lowest ranking country in the European Union in 80th place . Brunei , Laos , Senegal , Nepal , Estonia , Lesotho and Latvia also improved . The UK jumped from 17th to 14th place with a score of 76 , two points up from last year . The U.S. did not change from last year , ranking 19th with a score of 73 . China 's rank did not change . Australia dropped two places to 9th position with a score of 81 . The Corruption Perceptions Index is based on perceptions of corruption in public institutions like political parties , police and justice systems according to experts and business people . Strong access to information systems and rules governing the behavior of public officials can help a country improve , while a lack of accountability and weak public institutions damages these perceptions , Transparency International said . The organization called on public institutions and officials to be more open , adding that corruption remains notoriously difficult to investigate and prosecute .
China , North Korea and Somalia are seen as the most corrupt nations in the world . Australia and New Zealand are seen as the least corrupt nations . More than two thirds of the other countries included in the corruption index score badly .