Transparency International Publishes 2009 Corruption Perceptions Index - How Did the GCC Do?

By now you've probably seen other reports on the rankings of the GCC countries in TI's 2009 CPI.  Before we turn to the numbers, a few words.

First, how does TI itself describe the CPI?

Here are their exact words:  "The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) measures the perceived level of public-sector corruption in 180 countries and territories around the world. The CPI is a "survey of surveys", based on 13 different expert and business surveys."

A few points to emphasize:

1. The second word in the name says it all.  It is a Corruption Perceptions Index.  It is the perception of the level of corruption not necessarily the reality. 
2. It is public sector corruption only.
   
3. It is based on surveys (there are a universe of 13 different surveys).  Not all surveys use the same methodology.  Not all cover the same set of countries.  Usually, countries are ranked using 5 or 6. 
   

Despite these factors, the results are set forth with apparent Cartesian precision.   New Zealand is the least corrupt with Sweden two places below.  Not three.  Not one.   Similarly, at the other end of the scale, Somalia is more corrupt than Afghanistan.  Really?  How do they get to this fine a level of distinction?  Are the same set of respondents doing business in both Somalia and Afghanistan?

I commented on this phenomenon before and so I will turn to the rankings.

GCC states CPI ranking (best to worst):  World rankings follow the country name.

1. Qatar             22
2. UAE              30
3. Oman             39
4. Bahrain          46
5. Saudi Arabia  63
   
6. Kuwait           66