India, despite all efforts by the Narendra Modi government, in recent times, remains the most corrupt nation in Asia, says a report published by the global accountability organization, Transparency International.

India leads the pack with a corruption level of 69 per cent while Vietnam, with 65 per cent corruption is in the second spot with Thailand, Pakistan, and Myanmar coming in the third, fourth, and fifth spots.

Transparency International, a Berlin based NGO working against corruption, spoke to nearly 22,000 people across 16 countries in the Asia-Pacific to understand the levels of corruption in the region.

While India remains the most corrupt country in this region, with 69 per cent bribery rates, Japan came out as the least corrupt nation, with a 0.2 per cent bribery rate, the report said.

Shockingly, the number of times bribes were demanded for accessing public education and healthcare facilities is also very high in India, the report shows.

Around 58 per cent and 59 per cent bribery rates were seen in education and healthcare sectors in India respectively.

Noticeably, India was found to be more corrupt than Vietnam, Thailand, Pakistan and Myanmar in the report. Vietnam turned out to be the second-most corrupt country with 65 per cent bribery rates. Thailand showed 41 per cent bribery rates whereas Pakistan had 40 per cent bribery rates.

People in India are hopeful, though, that the government is working in the right direction to curb corruption.

The report by Transparency International showed that 51 per cent Indians believe that the government is doing well in keeping a check on corruption.

Comparatively, only 45 per cent people in neighbouring Pakistan think that their government is effective in bringing down corruption.

Asia is one of the regions where malpractices and financial breaches are the major reasons why there is high power distance relationship between the public officers and the public.

Corruption in government institutions is one of the major reasons that halt the progress of developing nations toward achieving their full economic potential on a par with developed countries.

The island city-state of Singapore was the only Asian state to make the top ten of least corrupt countries. The top 10 ranked nations perceived to be the least corrupt are: Denmark, New Zealand, Finland, Sweden, Switzerland, Norway, Singapore, Netherlands, Canada and Germany

Here are the five most corrupt countries in Asia by bribery rates, according to Transparency International;

Myanmar: 40% bribery rate

Despite a 2013 Anti-Corruption Law, about half of the respondents believe that most or all police are corrupt, and 40% believe the judiciary is corrupt. But things might be getting better—at least in the eyes of the people. Less than a fourth believe corruption has increased over the last year.

Pakistan: 40% bribery rate

In Pakistan, about three-fourths of respondents perceive most or all of the police to be corrupt. Of the people who encountered either the police or the courts, nearly 7 in 10 had to pay a bribe. Sadly, people don’t feel things can change—only a third think ordinary people can make a difference.

Thailand: 41% bribery rate

Thailand has struggled with corruption charges at all levels—even government officials—leading the current ruling military junta to tighten the Anti-Corruption Act in 2015. But the Thai people seem optimistic. Just 14% feel corruption had increased in last 12 months, and nearly 72% think the government is handling the fight against corruption fairly or very well.

Vietnam: 65% bribery rate

Vietnamese view corruption as endemic. Of all 16 countries surveyed, people in Vietnam (and Malaysia) were the most negative about the situation in their country. About 60% felt their government is doing a poor job of combatting corruption.

India: 69% bribery rate

In five of the six public services—schools, hospitals, ID documents, police, and utility services—more than half the respondents have had to pay a bribe. However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s fight against corruption has made a mark: 53% of the people think he is going it fairly or very well. And it has led to people feeling empowered, as 63% believe ordinary people can make a differenc