The most transparent countries, those with open business and government practices, well-distributed political power, high levels of trustworthiness and low levels of perceived corruption, tend to be among the world’s strongest democracies and affluent nations.

It’s wise to pay attention to the connection between corruption and inequality, warns the anti-corruption group Transparency International because the two “feed off each other to create a vicious circle between corruption, unequal distribution of power in society, and unequal distribution of wealth.”

According to the U.S. News 2019 Best Countries Rankings, based on a global perception-based survey, these are the five most transparent countries.

The Most Transparent Nations

5. Canada

Canada is one of the “most free” countries in the world, according to Freedom House, with “a strong history of respect for political rights and civil liberties.” The country ranks No. 18 on the Reporters Without Borders 2018 World Press Freedom Index, and No. 8 (tie) on the Transparency International’s 2017 Corruption Perceptions Index.

4. Sweden

Sweden is one of several Nordic nations that typically do well on international lists about good governance and transparency. The country was ranked No. 6 (tie) out of 180 countries and territories surveyed in Transparency International’s 2017 Corruption Perceptions Index and No. 2 on the Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index. The media is protected under Sweden’s Freedom of the Press Act of 1766, the first press freedom law in the world, according to Freedom House.

3. Finland

Finland has free and fair elections, an independent judiciary and equal rights for women and minorities, according to Freedom House. The country was ranked No. 3 (tie) out of 180 countries and territories surveyed in Transparency International’s 2017 Corruption Perceptions Index. Finland is also No. 4 on the Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index, which reflects the degree of freedom that journalists, news media and others enjoy in each country.

2. Switzerland

Switzerland is a Central European nation that does well on lists measuring transparency and good governance. The country is a direct democracy in which civil liberties are respected, according to Freedom House, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the expansion of freedom and democracy. Switzerland was ranked No. 3 (tie) out of 180 countries and territories surveyed in Transparency International’s 2017 Corruption Perceptions Index.

1. Norway

The Scandinavian country of Norway is regularly listed as one of the least corrupt countries in the world. The nation took the top spot on the Reporters Without Borders 2018 World Press Freedom Index and ranked No. 3 (tie) on Transparency International’s 2017 Corruption Perceptions Index. “Norway has one of the most robust democracies in the world,” according to Freedom House.