South Korea: Freedom from corruption

The latest value from 2026 is 71 points, an increase from 69 points in 2025. In comparison, the world average is 45 points, based on data from 182 countries. Historically, the average for South Korea from 1995 to 2026 is 55 points. The minimum value, 38 points, was reached in 2001 while the maximum of 71 points was recorded in 2026. See the global rankings for that indicator or use the country comparator to compare trends over time.

The Freedom from Corruption index for South Korea from the Heritage Foundation uses mostly the data from Transparency International, an NGO that tracks corruption perceptions around the world.

Definition: The score for the Freedom of corruption index is derived primarily from Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index. For countries that are not covered in the CPI the freedom from corruption score is determined by using information from internationally recognized and reliable sources. Higher index values denote lower level of corruption.