Podgorica, (MINA) – According to the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) report for last year, Montenegro scored 46 points, which is above the average of the Western Balkans countries, but still below the average of Western Europe and the EU, the Agency for the Prevention of Corruption (ASK) announced.

The Transparency International (TI) report notes that the global CPI average has fallen for the first time in more than a decade, indicating that corruption is increasingly becoming a systemic problem, including in developed democracies.

“According to the CPI 2025, Montenegro scored 46 points, which is above the global average of 42 points this year, but still below the average of Western Europe and the EU, which is 64 points”, the press release said.

ASK added that such ranking clearly indicates that Montenegro shares certain structural challenges characteristic of countries undergoing democratic and institutional consolidation.

“But at the same time, Montenegro achieves a score that is above the average for the Eastern Europe and Central Asia (34 points), as well as above the average for the Western Balkans (40 points)”, the press release says.

The Agency stated that they view this report as an additional incentive to continue institutional reforms, improve preventive mechanisms and strengthen cooperation with other state institutions, civil society and international partners.

“The fight against corruption is not a matter of image, but of long-term protection of the public interest and citizens’ trust in institutions”, said ASK.