Executive Corruption Index in United States
United States: Executive Corruption Index was 0.044 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Executive Corruption Index in United States, 1789–2025
Source: V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2025, executive corruption index in United States stood at 0.044.
The figure is up 238.5% on the previous year and up 388.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, executive corruption index in United States peaked at 0.163 in 1869 and was at its lowest, 0.009, in 2009.
That places United States 157th out of 176 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1780s | 0.074 | 0.074 | 0.074 | 1 |
| 1790s | 0.074 | 0.074 | 0.074 | 10 |
| 1800s | 0.074 | 0.074 | 0.074 | 10 |
| 1810s | 0.074 | 0.074 | 0.074 | 10 |
| 1820s | 0.074 | 0.074 | 0.074 | 10 |
| 1830s | 0.074 | 0.074 | 0.074 | 10 |
| 1840s | 0.074 | 0.074 | 0.074 | 10 |
| 1850s | 0.074 | 0.074 | 0.074 | 10 |
| 1860s | 0.0829 | 0.074 | 0.163 | 10 |
| 1870s | 0.163 | 0.163 | 0.163 | 10 |
| 1880s | 0.163 | 0.163 | 0.163 | 10 |
| 1890s | 0.163 | 0.163 | 0.163 | 10 |
| 1900s | 0.064 | 0.064 | 0.064 | 10 |
| 1910s | 0.0435 | 0.023 | 0.064 | 10 |
| 1920s | 0.0439 | 0.023 | 0.074 | 10 |
| 1930s | 0.028 | 0.028 | 0.028 | 10 |
| 1940s | 0.028 | 0.028 | 0.028 | 10 |
| 1950s | 0.028 | 0.028 | 0.028 | 10 |
| 1960s | 0.0296 | 0.028 | 0.044 | 10 |
| 1970s | 0.056 | 0.02 | 0.092 | 10 |
| 1980s | 0.0271 | 0.019 | 0.029 | 10 |
| 1990s | 0.013 | 0.013 | 0.013 | 10 |
| 2000s | 0.0126 | 0.009 | 0.013 | 10 |
| 2010s | 0.0456 | 0.009 | 0.14 | 10 |
| 2020s | 0.031 | 0.012 | 0.08 | 6 |
Countries ranked near United States
- 154 Trinidad and Tobago 0.055 compare
- 155 Uruguay 0.052 compare
- 156 United Kingdom 0.046 compare
- 157 Chile 0.044 compare
- 159 Taiwan 0.043 compare
- 160 Netherlands 0.036 compare
More social development data for United States
- Political Rights Rating 2 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 457,647 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 3,667 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
- Key features of democracy 0.735 (2025)
- Freedom of Expression Index 0.729 (2025)
- Freedom of Association Index 0.913 (2025)
- Electoral Democracy Index 0.735 (2025)
- Participatory Democracy Index 0.51 (2025)
- Liberal Democracy Index 0.571 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is executive corruption index in United States?
- Executive corruption index in United States was 0.044 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest executive corruption index recorded in United States?
- The highest recorded value was 0.163 in 1869.
- What is the lowest executive corruption index recorded in United States?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.009 in 2009.
- How does United States rank for executive corruption index?
- United States ranks 157th out of 176 countries with data for 2025.
- Is executive corruption index rising or falling in United States?
- Over the last ten years it is up 388.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this United States data come from?
- The figures come from V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Executive Corruption Index. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 237 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Data by V-Dem. Expert estimates of the extent to which high-ranking members of the executive, such as the head of government or cabinet ministers, engage in bribery and theft. The index ranges from 0 to 1 (highly corrupt).