Perception of corruption in Malta has improved with a report published in Brussels yesterday showing the country has climbed eight places in a year.

Malta was ranked 37th out of 178 countries in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index, up from the 45th position in 2009.

The ranking, which does not measure real corruption but only its perception in the public sector, is based on different assessments and business opinion surveys carried out by independent and reputable institutions. It captures information about the administrative and political aspects of corruption.

The surveys and assessments used to compile the index include questions relating to bribery of public officials, kickbacks in public procurement, embezzlement of public funds and questions that probe the strength and effectiveness of public sector anti-corruption efforts.

Malta’s ranking this year was based on three reports, one less than the basis used in last year’s ranking. These were the global competitiveness reports drawn up on Malta by the World Economic Forum for 2009 and 2010 and the global risk service by IHS Global Insight. Last year, the country report of the Economist Intelligence Unit was also included in Malta’s assessment.

Malta’s 37th position in this year’s ranking puts it as the 17th least corruption perceived country when compared to the other 27 EU member states, surpassing many of the former Communist countries and member states like Italy and Greece. Malta, however, was surpassed by Botswana, Chile and Qatar.

The island’s best ever performance in the international index was registered in 2005, just a year after EU accession, when it ranked 25th.

Malta’s overall score this year stands at 5.6. It was 5.2 in 2009.

This year’s index places Denmark, New Zealand and Singapore at the top of the list with a score of 9.3, followed closely by Finland and Sweden at 9.2. At the bottom is Somalia with a score of 1.1, trailing Myanmar and Afghanistan at 1.4 and Iraq at 1.5.