Corruption in Turkey

Corruption in Turkey is an issue that affects the accession of Turkey to the European Union.^[1][2] Transparency International's Corruption Perception Index scores 180 countries according to their perceived level of public sector corruption on a scale of 0 (very corrupt) to 100 (very honest).^[3] Since the current scale was introduced in 2012, Turkey's score has fallen from its highest score of 50 (2013) to its lowest, current score of 34 (2023 and 2024), its lowest score since the current version of the Index began in 2012. When the 180 countries in the Index were ranked by their score (with the country perceived to be most honest ranked 1), Turkey ranked 107 in 2024.^[4] For comparison with regional scores, the best score among Eastern European and Central Asian countries^{[Note 1]} was 53, the average score was 35 and the worst score was 17.^[5] For comparison with worldwide scores, the best score was 90 (ranked 1), the average score was 43, and the worst score was 8 (ranked 180).^[4]

The 1998 Türkbank scandal led to a no-confidence vote and the resignation of Prime Minister Mesut Yılmaz. Although Yılmaz was investigated by Parliament, a five-year statute of limitations prevented further action.^[6][7] On 17 December 2013, the sons of three Turkish ministers and many prominent businesspeople were arrested and accused of corruption.

Anti-corruption Legislation

Anti-Corruption legislation includes Turkey's Criminal Code which criminalizes various forms of corrupt activity, including active and passive bribery, attempted corruption, extortion, bribing a foreign official, money laundering and abuse of office. Nevertheless, anti-corruption laws are poorly enforced, and anti-corruption authorities are deemed ineffective.^[8] There is a lack of protection for whistleblowers.^[9]: 6

See also

• 2011 Turkish sports corruption scandal
• 2013 corruption scandal in Turkey
• Crime in Turkey
• Lost Trillion Case
• Media of Turkey
• Türkbank scandal
• International Anti-Corruption Academy
• Group of States Against Corruption
• International Anti-Corruption Day
• ISO 37001 Anti-bribery management systems
• United Nations Convention against Corruption
• OECD Anti-Bribery Convention
• Transparency International

Notes

1. Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Russia, Serbia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan