Greece drops eight positions in world corruption index

Greece fell eight places in Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index last year, dropping to 67th position from 59th in 2017.

The country scored 45 points in 2018, down from 48 in 2017, according to TI's report which was made public Tuesday. The report draws on surveys and expert assessments to measure public sector corruption in 180 countries and territories, giving each a score from zero (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean).

Although it fell last year, the country's score is still nine points higher than in 2012, marking some improvement.

"One explanation for this is that since the financial crisis in 2008, the country undertook several structural reforms so as to balance severe austerity measures," Transparency said.

Despite the structural improvements, progress on reducing corruption has halted in Greece and the country is saddled with...