International Anti-Corruption Day

Categories:: Cause
Tags:: Civic Federal Safety
Where:: International
Date change rule:: Every December 9
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International Anti-Corruption Day rallies people worldwide every December 9. This United Nations-designated day reminds us to actively speak out and fight against corruption in all its forms. Take a stand, promote transparency, and support initiatives that foster integrity in governance and daily life.

History
Timeline
FAQs
Importance
Observe
Related

History of International Anti-Corruption Day

Corruption has existed from time immemorial. Some of the earliest records of anti-corruption texts can be found in the Code of Hammurabi of Babylonia, the Great Edict of Horemheb in Egypt, and Arthashastra in India. These texts spoke about bribery practices among officers of the state and law. The concept of public interest and welfare began to gain stronghold in Western society in the 19th century and more attention was paid to the rising corruption in professional services like the bureaucracy. Corruption was beginning to be understood not just as an unwanted practice but a practice that was levying a great cost in society.

Today, Transparency International is one of the most well-known organizational faces tackling corruption in countries all over the world. It was founded by Peter Eigen, a World Bank official who had witnessed the negative impact of corruption in East Africa and decided to start a non-profit to shed more light on the issue. The secretariat was set up in Berlin in 1993. It currently hosts the International Anti-Corruption Conference every two years to convene civil society, bureaucrats, nonprofits and political leaders around special, cross-cutting challenges posed by corruption. It held its first virtual conference in 2020, and it is available to watch online.

Transparency International also developed the Corruption Perception Index in 1995 to measure corruption across sectors and practices in various countries and rank them comparatively. The index now collects data from 180 countries. Other organizations like the World Bank also capture corruption data through their Worldwide Governance Indicators.

International Anti-Corruption Day timeline

1754 B.C.

Code of Hammurabi

The Babylonian legal text is one of the earliest, most well-preserved ethical codes governing legitimate state and judicial practices.

331 A.D.

Emperor Constantine Outlaws Corruption

The Roman emperor passes a decree banning corruption.

1995

Corruption Perception Index

Transparency International launches a comparative, global index ranking corruption across countries and regions.

2003

U.N. Convention Against Corruption

The United Nations Convention is signed by 140 countries after the Iraq Oil-for-Food scandal, making it a sanctionable offense.

International Anti-Corruption Day FAQs

When is International Anti-Corruption Day?

International Anti-Corruption Day 2026 falls on a Wednesday, December 9. This global observance serves as a vital reminder of the ongoing fight against corruption worldwide.

How many countries observe International Anti-Corruption Day?

International Anti-Corruption Day is observed by more than 190 countries that are parties to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC). This widespread participation highlights a global commitment to combating corruption.

What is the economic cost of corruption globally?

The World Bank estimates that over $1 trillion is paid in bribes each year, with the total economic cost of corruption, including lost tax revenue and distorted markets, running into trillions of dollars annually.

What is the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC)?

The United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) is the only legally binding universal anti-corruption instrument. It covers five main areas: prevention, criminalization and law enforcement, international cooperation, asset recovery, and technical assistance and information exchange.

How To Observe International Anti-Corruption Day

Take a pledge against corruption
Whether you’re a consumer or public official or private service provider, we can all do our part to help tackle corruption by being outspoken about being subject to corrupt practices when we’re at the receiving end and being transparent and ethical in our own transactions.
Look up the Corruption Perceptions Index
Transparency International has organized, easy-to-read data on corruption levels around the world starting from 1995. Take a look at the countries that fare the best and worst and whether this has changed over time according to the political situation in the country. There are other indices like Worldwide Governance Indicators available with the World Bank too.
Learn about the U.N. campaign against corruption
The U.N. has launched a special campaign on corruption in the last two years with the theme ‘Recover with Integrity’. It especially highlights corruption in the healthcare system. You can learn more about it on their dedicated website.

5 Facts About Corruption

Many countries score poorly
More than two-thirds of 180 countries in the Corruption Perception Index have a score of less than 50 out of 100.
Conflict-affected countries score worse
Venezuela, Yemen, Syria, South Sudan, and Somalia are the bottom-most countries in the Corruption Perception Index.
Canada scores highest in the region
The Americas has an average score of 43 with Canada scoring 77 in the Corruption Perception Index.
There is no international court
The idea of an International Anti-Corruption Court was circulated as a body under the International Criminal Court, or as an independent body, but this has not been implemented.
It has a global secretariat
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime is the global secretariat for the U.N. Convention on Corruption.

Why International Anti-Corruption Day Is Important

It reminds us of corruption
Many of us have faced some form of corruption in our dealings with business or government, but we may have discounted the significance of it in order to “get things done”. This day reminds us that we don’t have to accept these practices and can speak out against them.
It is a call to action
The UN and other bodies have compiled resources that make us more aware of the extent of corruption around the world, and they tell us how to take steps to eliminate corruption.
It highlights the importance of ethics
While we have been taught ethical conduct from the time we are kids, we may have forgotten about them in the daily grind and hustle. This is the time to reopen and even relearn those lessons to guide our own conduct.