Barbados Has Caribbean’s Lowest Corruption: Transparency International

By: - December 2nd, 2011

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Barbados has the lowest perceived level of public-sector corruption in CARICOM, according to a report released by Transparency International.

Barbados has a corruption perception score of 7.8, which is higher than the United States, and tied for 16th in the world.

The Bahamas is second in the Caribbean, according to the list, followed by St Lucia, which has a score of 7 and was the third-cleanest Caribbean country in terms of corruption perception in the report.

Several countries, including St Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Belize, were not included in the index.

The scale goes from 0 (highly corrupt) to 10 (Very clean).

New Zealand was ranked the cleanest country in the world in the report.

The index draws on assessments and opinion surveys carried out by “independent and reputable institutions.”

The questions on the surveys relate to issues including bribery of officials, kickbacks, embezzlement of public funds and the effectiveness of anti-crime measures.

See below for the full list:

Bahamas

Community of Latin American and Caribbean States Meets in Venezuela

By the Caribbean Journal staff The new 33-nation Community of Latin American and Caribbean States began its inaugural conference in Caracas today. A host of Caribbean leaders are attending the Latin American and Caribbean Summit on Integration and Development, including Trinidad Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Jamaican Prime Minster Andrew Holness. The organization includes all […]

Bahamas

Should Spanish Language Instruction Be Compulsory in Jamaican Schools?

By the Caribbean Journal staff Spanish Ambassador to Jamaica Celsa Nuno has issued an appeal for Jamaica’s Ministry of Education to make Spanish compulsory at all levels of the education system. Nuno, who is also the president of the Spanish-Jamaica Foundation, said the Spanish Embassy would spare no effort to support the ministry in the […]

Bahamas

World Bank Plans Haiti Strategy

Above: a factory in Haiti (WB Photo) By the Caribbean Journal staff The World Bank’s strategy in Haiti in 2012 will focus on disaster management, infrastructure, education and jobs, the organization announced. The 2012 Haiti Interim Strategy Note programs $255 million in grants from the International Development Association’s Crisis Response Window. The World Bank’s Board […]


Donald Ramotar Wins Guyanese Election

By the Caribbean Journal staff Donald Ramotar has won the Guyanese election, having secured 48.6 percent of the vote in the 2011 general and regional elections, according to the Guyana Elections Commission. It is the first minority government for the country, however, as the PPP/C captured less than 50 percent of the vote. A Partnership […]

OAS Says St Lucian Campaign Finance Rules in a "Gray Zone"

By the Caribbean Journal The OAS’ electoral observer mission is concerned that St Lucia’s campaign financing rules remain in a “gray zone,” despite a recommendation in 2006 calling for established rules. The mission said that in the absence of appropriate legislation, the source of financing for campaign funds could not be determined. In St Lucia, […]

Jamaica Food Security Project a Success, European Union Says

By the Caribbean Journal staff Donald Ramotar has won the Guyanese election, having secured 48.6 percent of the vote in the 2011 general and regional elections, according to the Guyana Elections Commission. It is the first minority government for the country, however, as the PPP/C captured less than 50 percent of the vote. A Partnership […]

Op-Ed: Mark Turnquest on Why the Bahamas Needs a Ministry of Commerce

Above: downtown Nassau (CJ Photo) By Mark A Turnquest Op-Ed Contributor MISSION OF THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE My advice to the Bahamas’ Free National Movement government is to create a Ministry of Commerce without incurring any costs or expenses. Simply transfer a few existing staff from the Ministry of Finance and empower the present Minister […]