Of Interest
you are currently viewing:Corruption Perceptions Index 2025: Decline in leadership undermining global fight against corruptionJanuary 10, 2026-At a time of massive Gen Z-led protests against corruption and a dangerous disregard for international norms by some governments, the 31st edition of Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index reveals a concerning picture of long-term decline in leadership to tackle corruption, alongside limited signs of progress Corruption is worsening globally, with even established democracies experiencing rising corruption amid a decline in leadership, according to Transparency International's 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), published today. This annual index shows that the number of countries scoring above 80 has shrunk from 12 a decade ago to just five this year. Our data show that democracies, typically stronger on anti-corruption than autocracies or flawed democracies, are experiencing a worrying decline in performance. This trend spans countries such as the United States (64), Canada (75) and New Zealand (81), to various parts of Europe, like the United Kingdom (70), France (66) and Sweden (80). Another concerning pattern is increasing restrictions by many states on freedoms of expression, association and assembly. Since 2012, 36 of the 50 countries with significant declines in CPI scores have also experienced a reduction in civic space. Source: transparency.org |
March 2026 Labor Market Update: How Women Have Closed the Other Workforce Gender Gap
March 26, 2026-The gap between male and female labor force participation has hit a record low-and it's still falling.
Key points:
In the early 1990s, men held almost 7 million more jobs than women. As of early 2026, that gap had entirely closed.
In recent months, male employment has contracted while female employment has held steady, suggesting the convergence is still accelerating.
AI investment and Middle East conflict shape outlook for global trade
March 20, 2026-The outlook for world trade in 2026 will be shaped by two powerful and opposite forces. On the one hand, the extraordinary momentum of investment in artificial intelligence (AI) continues to energize global demand for high-tech goods and digitally delivered services. On the other hand, the conflict in the Middle East -and the resulting spike in energy and transport costs - could weigh heavily on world trade and output.
Energy Charted: The Energy Mix of the World's 10 Largest Economies
March 13, 2026-Key Takeaways
Oil is the largest energy source in six of the world's 10 biggest economies, including the U.S., Germany, Japan, the UK, and Italy.
Coal dominates energy supply in China and India, accounting for nearly 60% of their energy mixes.
OECD: Women in research: Progress in education, persistent gaps in careers
March 10, 2026-Women now make up a majority of master's and doctoral graduates across OECD countries, yet they remain underrepresented across research and development (R&D) activities, particularly in the business sector. Despite substantial policy efforts, OECD analysis shows persistent gaps between men and women in research career pathways, employment conditions and international mobility.
ICYMI: Report Shows 'Annoyance Economy' Rips Off Consumers for $165 Billion Annually
March 4, 2026--Spam and robocalls cost Americans over $32 billion annually, junk fees cost consumers $90 billion annually, and health care headaches cost $41 billion.
Groundwork Collaborative recently published Taking on the Annoyance Economy, which totals the cost of the Annoyance Economy at $165 billion in wasted time and effort.
Ranked: The World's Richest Countries vs. the Happiest Countries
February 27, 2026--Several Nordic countries rank among both the richest and happiest in the world.
Some ultra-wealthy nations, including Singapore and Qatar, do not make the top 20 for happiness.
Only a handful of countries appear near the top of both rankings.
WFE Accessing Transition Finance-A Practical Guide for Issuers
February 26, 2026--Transition finance that enables the economy and finance to move towards Net Zero and other sustainability-related goals is a significant opportunity for businesses and investors.
Global climate finance, which supports activities that are already green, reached $1.9 tr in 2023 and is estimated to have exceeded $2 tr in 2024.
Rewiring global value chains in a changing global environment
February 25, 2026--Global value chains are the backbone of the world economy,even at a time when they are undergoing structural and policy-driven changes in the face of a rapidly changing global environment.
Over the past two decades,international production networks have been tested in various ways - by the COVID-19 pandemic, by intensifying geopolitical frictions,by financial shocks and by accelerating climate challenges.
Women's Economic-Opportunity Laws Only Half-Enforced Globally
February 24, 2026--Only 4% of women worldwide live in economies that provide nearly full legal equality
Laws designed to ensure equal economic opportunities for women are only half-enforced on average across the world, indicating that the barriers that keep women from contributing fully to growth and prosperity are far steeper than previously thought, according to a new report from the World Bank Group.
Ranked: The World's 50 Largest Economies, Including U.S. States
February 20, 2026--19 U.S. states rank among the world's 50 largest economies in 2025.
California ($4.30T) is now the world's 4th-largest economy, ahead of Japan and India.
Texas ($2.94T) is larger than Italy and Russia; Florida's economy is bigger than Australia's.
