The Ministry of Immigration, Governance and Labour (MIGL) notes the publication of the 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) by Transparency International, which reflects Belize’s return to the index after a 17-year absence and provides an external benchmark for assessing public sector governance.
Belize recorded a score of 36 out of 100, reflecting a modest improvement from its previous score of 29 in 2008, and is ranked 104th among 182 countries and territories. While the results indicate that governance challenges remain, the improvement is noted within a global context where many countries have experienced stagnation or decline.
The Ministry recognizes that the CPI measures perceptions of public sector corruption and does not assess individual cases, investigations, or enforcement outcomes. The index is therefore regarded as a diagnostic reference that helps inform policy direction, highlight areas requiring reform, and support evidence-based decision-making across government.
Consistent with its mandate, the MIGL continues to lead and coordinate elements of the country’s good governance agenda, with a focus on strengthening transparency, accountability, and institutional responsiveness across the public sector. This work is guided by national development frameworks, including Plan Belize and the Medium-Term Development Strategy.
The Ministry’s approach is further informed by internationally recognized governance instruments, including the United Nations Convention Against Corruption and the Inter-American Convention against Corruption (MESICIC). These frameworks provide structured guidance on preventive measures, institutional integrity, and accountability mechanisms, and support alignment between national reform efforts and Belize’s international obligations.
As part of ongoing reform efforts, MIGL is identifying and sequencing policy deliverables for implementation over the short, medium, and long term. Priority areas include:
- Whistleblower protection, through the advancement of legislative and policy measures to safeguard individuals who report corruption and misconduct at any level of governance;
- Political integrity and campaign finance reform, aimed at strengthening transparency and accountability in political financing and electoral processes;
- Institutional strengthening, focused on improving oversight functions, administrative accountability, and service delivery across ministries and government agencies.
These priority areas are intended to reduce systemic vulnerabilities, reinforce democratic governance, and support a sustained culture of integrity within the public sector.
Minister of Immigration, Governance and Labour Kareem Musa added “The Corruption Perceptions Index is a useful benchmark, but our focus remains on implementation. The Good Governance Unit is updating and developing new proposals for reform which will be submitted for Cabinet’s consideration in keeping with established good governance and development frameworks.”
While the Corruption Perceptions Index 2025 provides a welcomed external reference point, MIGL emphasizes that governance reform is driven by national policy objectives and institutional mandates, not rankings. The Ministry remains focused on implementation, recognizing that durable improvements in governance are achieved through sustained policy action, institutional reform, and consistent oversight.
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The Ministry of Immigration, Governance and Labour (MIGL) notes the publication of the 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) by Transparency International, which reflects Belize’s return to the index after a 17-year absence and provides an external benchmark for assessing public sector governance. Belize recorded a score of 36 out of 100, reflecting a modest improvement
The post Belize Recorded Modest Improvement in Corruption Perceptions Index 2025 appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
