Corruption Index

Transparency International has come out with the Corruption Perception Index for year 2005.

India is ranked 88^th out of the 159 countries considered. Apparently we have improved our position by 2 (infact last year only 146 countries were surveyed, so that makes it even better).
I can't help but wonder - Have we become less corrupt or has the world around us become more corrupt??

Within the country, Kerela has been declared the least corrupt state and Bihar (surprise surprise!) rounds up the list.

The survey mentions a very obvious gain from reduced corruption:
"...When countries improve governance and reduce corruption, they reap a 'development dividend' that can include reduction in child mortality rates and increase in per capita income and literacy rates..."

Iceland, by the way, continues to be the least corrupt nation. The whole table can be found here : Table