Bulgaria ranks second to last in the fight against corruption in the EU according to the Transparency International index

Bulgaria is ranked 72nd in the Transparency International's Corruption Perception Index for 2022.

With an index of 43 points, Bulgaria is next to last in the European Union, followed by Hungary. However, Bulgaria rises 6 places in the ranking, as it was 78th in 2021.

The report ranks countries on a scale from 0 (high level of corruption) to 100 (low level of corruption).

Denmark has the lowest level of corruption, scoring 90 points this year. Finland and New Zealand follow with 87 points each. Strong democratic institutions and respect for human rights are also reasons why these countries are among the most peaceful in the world, the report said.

This year's index marks a stagnation in the fight against corruption around the world, Transparency International's ranking shows.

"Corruption has made our world a more dangerous place. As governments have failed to make progress in the fight against it, it is fuelling the current increase in violence and conflict and threatening people everywhere," says Delia Ferreira Rubio, the organisation's director.

Western European countries, which have been at the forefront of the fight against corruption over the past decade, have held their ground or seen a decline. Undue influence in decision-making and rule of law problems continue to undermine the effectiveness of governments, Transparency International said.