Although this is a list of nations where the ‘perception’ of corruption might be greater than it actually is, the errors might be in numerical order, not in the nature of the nation.

Uzbekistan brings up the rear as it weighs in as the 12th most corrupt nation in the world. It’s human rights record is poor as it is an authoritarian state with limited civil rights.

Torture, arbitrary arrests and restrictions of freedoms of religion, speech and press are standard.

The 2005 civil unrest resulted in several hundred people being killed. Child labour is common.

Although its Constitution provides for democracy, this has never materialised. The President’s term was extended from 5 to 7 years by referendum, although most international observers refused to participate in the process and did not recognise the results, this has not effected life in Uzbekistan.

Independent candidates are unable to participate in elections. There is no free press.

Revenue earned from key exports are distributed among a small ruling elite.

Uzbekistan had inflation of 1000% in the 90s, today it has dropped to 7.6% Things have ‘improved’ as in 2006 it was number 4 in this list, today, it has slipped to number 12.

Zimbabwe is no surprise save that ten other countries are considered more corrupt. Economic mismanagement has led to hyperinflation and impoverishment of the population

Since 1999 the country has careened downhill. This is due to land redistribution policies where 4000 white farmers were evicted. Whites who remain in Zimbabwe must either leave the country or face imprisonment.

The land these farmers had cultivated was redistributed in small plots. Once productive land is now barren.

In 2005 various slums were cleared making hundreds of thousands of people homeless. No new housing built.

The current food crisis coupled with the HIV/AIDs epidemic has bought the life expectancy from 60 to 37 for males, and 34 for females. Infant mortality has climbed.

Inflation stands at approximately 231,000,000% as of July 2008. Prices double every 1.3 days. On February 2, 2009 the RBZ announced that a further 12 zeros were to be taken off the currency, with 1,000,000,000,000 Zimbabwe dollars exchanged for 1 new dollar.

To give you an example of corruption, in November of 2008 Zimbabwe spent $7.3 million donated by the Global Fund to fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Whatever the money was spent on it was not for the intended purposes.

Cambodia is no new comer, as it has consistently made this list since 2002. It may have improved or other nations may have deteriorated.

‘Foreign Aid’, be it from public or private sources is regularly transferred into private accounts. Foreign investment in Cambodia is not appetizing, as the number of bribes one has to pay and the likelihood that after building a factory it might just be taken over.

Equatorial Guinea is number nine. It is ruled by a military dictatorship. In 2002 it’s four main opposition parties withdrew from election, and Obiang won another fraudulent victory.

Diplomats, even Ministers of Government have been caught smuggling drugs, sometimes using diplomatic bags, even the President’s baggage on state trips.

Most of the revenue of the nation is confiscated by the president, while a half million people subsist on less than a dollar a day. Sewage runs through the streets of the capital. There is no pubic transport, little drinking water or electricity.

Although a November 2004 report named Mark Thatcher as a financial backer of a coup to topple Obiang there has been no evidence an attempt had even taken place.

When Hollywood looks to portray the quintessential corrupt African nation, it uses Equatorial Guinea, which, by the way, isn’t even on the Equator.

Chad is no surprise at number eight, having been on the list from 2004. There has been political unrest and attempted coups d’etat for years.

It is one of the poorest and most corrupt places on earth. Most Chadians live in poverty. Things have improved as in 2005 it was number One on this list.

Although it has many political parties, they do not ensure democracy but insurgency. The last election was so corrupt that the opposition to President Deby didn’t even bother to contest. It is currently ranked as the fifth poorest nation in the world.

Telecommunications is basic and expensive, and Chad has one of the lowest telephone density rates in the world. Its energy sector has been mismanaged and covers only 1.5% of the population.

Guinea pulls in at lucky number seven. Although richly endowed with natural resources, from bauxite to diamonds, gold and uranium the lack of infra structure and corruption prevent development.

The diamond mining, for example is held by the government with Canada holding other half, how much was paid for this concession is unknown. The corruption of the government dampens most foreign investors.

Every aspect, from electricity production to road works is beset by corruption. Doing business in Guinea is a matter of bribes, kickbacks and looking the other way.

Sudan at number six is considered the second most unstable country in the world. The continued crisis in Darfur has not effected it’s economic growth as Sudan is the 17th fastest growing economy in the world.

Foreign Aid is often misdirected, human rights are non- existent. Much of the conflict is due to the unfair distribution of wealth in the country.

Afghanistan is a newcomer, only appearing on this list in 2007 but has already achieved number five position.

It has always been an extremely poor country, split into many tribes. The current War on Terror has merely brought new blood to spill on its soil.

Most of its economy is in the illegal poppy trade. Poppies are refined into opium, morphine and heroin. These drugs are sold to the various drug cartels.

Some 3.3 million Afghans are involved in producing opium.

Much of the violence is not particularly religious or national, it concerns wars over the drug trade.

Of course, with an actual war going on, there’s lots of money to be made.

Haiti has worked hard to reach number four, moving down each year. It has remained the least developed nation in the Western Hemisphere. 80% of the population lives in poverty. 30% to 40% of its economy is foreign aid.

Despite attempts to assist Haiti over the decades there has been no change in the situation.

Iraq has gained number three place due to the war the United States is waging. Most rebuilding efforts are beset by corruption. Much of the Aid disappears and various projects do not exist.

Myanmar (Burma) is number two. It is governed by a military dictatorship, with no human rights to speak of. Elections are such that in some villages, polling station officials mark the ballots.

There is no independent judiciary, the government restricts Internet access. There is forced labour, human trafficking and child labour are common. The military which rules uses sexual violence, systematic rapes and taking of sex slaves as porters for the military are common.

The government hinders all international humanitarian assistance. It spends the least percentage of its GDP on health care of any country in the world.

Its export of opium equals all legal exports. Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise launders drug money. The number of hectares to grow Opium poppies increased 29% in 2007.

It is one of poorest nations and was once the world’s largest exporter of rice. In 2007 it shared top ‘honours’ with Somalia as the most corrupt country in the world, but has slipped in the past year to number two. Or Somalia has increased it’s level of corruption.

Somalia has reached number one. This may be due to the fact that there is no government in Somalia. Various regional authorities operate on the level of mega-gangs.

Somaliland in the North has declared independence but is unrecognised.

Despite this, many foreign companies thrive in Somalia. It’s private wireless networks provide better service than in neighbouring countries. Internet usage increased by 44,900% between 2000, when it first became available, and 2007. It has the cheapest cellular calling rates, some companies charging less than a cent a minute.

The question is whether a country where corruption is the form of governance should be on this list at all.