Transparency International has released its 2014 Corruptions Perception Index, and Jamaica retains its spot of 85th out of 175 countries. This index ranks “ranks countries and territories based on how corrupt their public sector is perceived to be.” This perception is reflected in a recent survey by the Jamaica Gleaner, which found that

of 1,208 Jamaicans, the average person responded that 70 per cent of Jamaica’s elected officials was corrupt, 80 per cent of the police force was corrupt and 50 per cent of government employees were corrupt.

The countries that are perceived to be the least corrupt are Denmark, New Zealand and Finland, while the worst are Sudan, North Korea and Somalia. Interestingly, the United States sits at 17th place, while Canada and the U.K. rest at 10th and 14th respectively. Transparency International gives nations a score out of 100. Jamaica’s has been 38 for the past three years. This could be perceived two ways, of course. The nation is not improving in eradicating the perception of corruption, neither is it getting worse.