Hungary has topped the European Union’s corruption league table once more, according to Transparency International—this marks the fourth consecutive year.
Hungary the most corrupt EU member state
The 24.hu news site reported that Hungary and Bulgaria languish at the bottom of Transparency International’s corruption perceptions index (cpi), meaning we have now been deemed the bloc’s most corrupt state for a fourth year running.
The index runs from 0 to 100, with 100 signifying the cleanest public sector imaginable, utterly free of corruption. Hungary scored a dismal 40 points, placing last (equivalent to 84th globally), and that’s a point lower than last year. This suggests public perceptions of corruption have deteriorated further. In the EU rankings, Romania trails Hungary and Bulgaria with 45 points.
By contrast, the EU’s least corrupt states—Denmark, Finland, and Sweden—all scored above 80. Norway, outside the bloc, rounds out the global top five.
Only Ukraine and Serbia behind Hungary in the region
The Scandinavian model of development has, of course, diverged markedly from Hungary’s over recent decades—or even centuries—so it may be fairer to benchmark against regional peers. In central and eastern Europe, Estonia leads with 76 points. Austria sits 21st, alongside Belgium and the United Arab Emirates. Slovenia is 41st, Poland 52nd, Czechia 59th, Slovakia 61st, Croatia 63rd, and Ukraine a lowly 104th—though the war-torn country has improved on its 2024 score, now at 36. Serbia fared worse still, at 116th (noting that ties are possible).
Hungary’s score has been sliding since 2018. By 2020, we had overtaken all comers at the foot of the table, and between 2022 and 2025 we held the unwanted crown as the most corrupt—tied with Bulgaria in the latest, 2025-based rankings.
If you missed our previous articles about corruption in Hungary:
- Over corruption concerns, Hungary could lose multi-billion-euro defence loan
- Corruption? Orbán’s son-in-law involved in government investments worth billions
Link to the source. Makes for interesting (not entertaining) reading.
https://www.transparency.org/en/
After listening to so many Hungarians, of every persuasion, I have the perception that there is a lot of corruption in Hungary – amongst officials, and even at the local level.
So, maybe this problem is worse in Hungary than it is, here, in the Southern part of the disUnited States.
That said, we have the problem.
Nothing more clearly demonstrates this than Miriam Adelson, widow of former Las Vegas mogul, Sheldon Adelson, she who gave President Trump $250,000,000.00!
And when our president said exactly that in public, she, sitting right behind him, did not deny it.
And … so what does a $250,000,00.00 campaign donation buy?
In this case 2 naval fleets sitting off the coast of Iran – a country which not only has no assets that we could want, they pose no threat to us.
@Mouton – the EU has frozen EUR billions in funds over rule-of-law concerns. These are documented findings from independent international bodies. And it is in major part due to our Politicians, their family, friends and toadies. The ones you generally lavish with praise?
Pivoting to US issues doesn’t change these facts, other than explaining why Mr. Trump can relate to Mr. Orbán so well.
On Iran: it’s a major oil producer, operates proxy forces across the Middle East, and has an active nuclear program under international scrutiny. Characterizing it as harmless misrepresents the situation.
#commentops
Thank you for this excellent and thoughtful comment, Dear Norbert.
May I remind you that, many times I have said : if I were Hungarian I would be with Mi Házank.
That said, I am mindful of reality : Mi Házank is not going to win this election – not even close. At this point they may be in danger of falling short of 5%, if the polls are accurate.
So, if I were Hungarian I would have to split my vote – Mi Házank in all local races – Orbán Viktor in the national – if the Hungarian system would allow me to vote this way.
Never once have I rejected what I have learned from listening to Hungarians – that there are some serious problems with Fidesz Governance.
It is just that Orbán Viktor is a much better choice than Magyar Peter – because Magyar Peter will simply turn Hungary into the shit-hole the once marvelous countries, France, Germany, and Belgium, , have become, since 2015.
I have a common sense position _ the physical security of a race of people come before all other considerations, including economic.
Orbán Viktor satisfies that requirement. Magyar Peter does not.
Come on Mouton!
Mi Házank!!!
what a joke!
How the heck you can write with diacritics?
@Rádzs
Hm.. You know what, come back in July. Read your comments again. My bet is, that by that time, the Tisza will be fracturing dissolving in infighting, with the Mi Hazánk chilling in the Parliament.
All “Messiah” parties end the same way.
‘On Iran: it’s a major oil producer, operates proxy forces across the Middle East, and has an active nuclear program under international scrutiny. Characterizing it as harmless misrepresents the situation.’
Thank you, Dear Norbert – but, I did not characterize Iran as harmless. I said they are not a threat to us – White Southerners.
As to their nuclear program being ‘under scrutiny’ I am aware that Miriam Adelson, and many Zionist Gentiles in my country, want Iran to be absolutely helpless – so that Israel can remake over the entire Middle East as they wish.
Well … Israel is absolutely entitled to want what it wants – just as we are perfectly entitled to not support those aims.
From my point of view – Iran is entitled to it’s way of life – whether we agree with it or not, and, yes, it is entitled to support Arab militias.
Every nation is entitled to defend itself.
@mouton – my two cents worth – the real issue is state actions, wherever. Escalation risks including nuclear and armed proxies. Framing this around ethnic/religious labels is just a distraction.
Speaking of a clear-cut case of self-defense in your definition – Ukraine defending itself against Russian aggression?
@Norbert
How many times one needs to repeat himself? The Ukrainian civil war started in 2014. With a CIA coup. The CIA is the aggressor here. And the Russian joined later. It is thoroughly documented.
All human conflicts are about ethnicity, religion and culture. If you don’t believe me, then think deeply, what role “Magyar” fulfills. He is a “Messiah”. A religious figure, that leads to the “garden of Eden”. It’s not an organised religion with an ethical codex, rather a wild, dangerous cult, but it is still religion.
And if they win, they would abolish the separation of church and state, even if they don’t know it. Just like the communists did. That was also a cult: worship of the collective.
For real? Orban the guy that managed to make his son in law the richest Hungarian? The guy who took all the private savings to first repay IMF and than make all his friends rich? No wonder you have someone like Trump, who I hear is a “terrific guy” Stop glazing dictators who only fill their own pockets that should be basic. Greetings from hell hole Brussels where health care is a right not a privilege.
@Norbert
“the EU has frozen EUR billions in funds over rule-of-law concerns.”
The fact that the EU violates its own laws is just an another reason to defeat them. Under all EU agreement that is unlawful.
“These are documented findings from independent international bodies.”
Hah! XD You pulled the “Objective-independent” meme again?! You know, “your propagandist is a propagandist, mine is an objective and independent observer.” XD
Man….. You never cease to entertain me.
I quite enjoy watching Norbert cut up Russian bot Mouton.
Ah.. transparency international. With no vested interest in the Hungarian election at all. XD
So Hungary is topped the “How much we want you regime changed” index again? Good. I’m proud of that.
I was proud of Fidesz nr2 hanging from a window in Brussels as ge was trying to evade arrest at a gay sex club with both coke and xtc on him. Seems very Fidesz to me. Can’t wait for Russia to be invited to take over things by Orban seems that’s the next logical step.
The biggest corruption is in the EU