Somalia and North Korea are perceived as the most corrupt countries in the world, while India is ranked 95th behind China (75th), but ahead of Pakistan (134th).

The German watchdog organisation Transparency International said New Zealand is seen as the most corrupt -free nation in the world.

Mostly European nations were top performers except Singapore at fifth rank and Australia at eighth, The Daily Mail reports.

Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway and Iceland, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany, Austria, Belgium and Ireland occupied top 20 ranks.

Bulgaria, which ranked 86th was the lowest-performing European Union country.

Britain was 16th least corrupt on a 'corruption perceptions index' while the U.S. came in at number 24.

Myanmar, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Sudan, Iraq, Haiti and Venezuela were at the bottom of the index.

Transparency International used reports based 'on different assessments and business opinion surveys carried out by independent and reputable institutions' to compile the 'corruption perception index'

The organisation said it took into account perceptions about corruption and did not measure corruption since it is an arduous task because corruption exists in concealed form.

"Over time perceptions have proved to be a reliable estimate of corruption," Transparency International said. (ANI)