Top 10 most corrupt politicians in the world

10: Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson was the Prime Minister of Iceland from 2013 to 2016. He resigned from his post following the release of the Panama Papers, which revealed that he and his wife had set up a company in an offshore tax haven.

The Panama Papers were a leak of millions of documents from the Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca, which showed how wealthy individuals and public figures around the world used offshore companies to avoid paying taxes or hide their wealth. Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson's name appeared in the documents, showing that he had owned an offshore company with his wife, but had failed to disclose this information to the public or to the Icelandic Parliament. The revelation of his involvement in the Panama Papers led to widespread protests in Iceland and calls for his resignation. After initially refusing to step down, he eventually resigned from his post as Prime Minister in April 2016. It is important to note that Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson has denied any wrongdoing and has stated that the offshore company was created for legitimate business reasons. However, the controversy surrounding his involvement in the Panama Papers ultimately led to his downfall as Prime Minister of Iceland.

9: Petro Poroshenko was the President of Ukraine from 2014 to 2019. During his presidency, he was widely criticized for failing to effectively combat corruption and for his own alleged involvement in corrupt practices. One of the most notable controversies surrounding Poroshenko was his failure to adequately address the issue of corruption in Ukraine, which was one of the major issues that led to the Maidan revolution in 2014.

 Despite promising to tackle corruption and implementing some reforms, many critics argued that Poroshenko did not do enough to address the root causes of corruption in Ukraine and that his government was plagued by cronyism and nepotism. Poroshenko was also accused of using his position as president to enrich himself and his associates. For example, he was criticized for allegedly using his position to acquire a controlling stake in a major confectionery company shortly before he took office. He was also accused of failing to properly disclose his assets and of having offshore companies in tax havens. It is important to note that Poroshenko has denied these allegations and has claimed that they are politically motivated. However, his reputation was tarnished by these accusations and his failure to effectively tackle corruption during his presidency.

8: Kim Jong-un is the current leader of North Korea and holds the title of Supreme Leader of North Korea. The country is known for its repressive regime and lack of transparency, making it difficult to verify allegations of corruption.

 However, there have been reports of corruption and embezzlement by North Korean officials, including members of the Kim family. For example, Kim Jong-un's uncle, Jang Song-thaek, was executed in 2013 for corruption and other crimes. There have also been reports of North Korean officials engaging in illegal activities to generate revenue for the government, including counterfeiting and drug trafficking. These activities are reportedly carried out by organizations under the direct control of the ruling Workers' Party. It is important to note that the North Korean government tightly controls information within the country and limits access to outside observers, making it difficult to verify allegations of corruption. Additionally, North Korea is not known for having a free and independent judiciary, which can make it difficult to hold officials accountable for corrupt activities.

7: David Cameron was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2010 to 2016. During his time in office, he faced allegations of corruption related to his personal finances and his government's handling of certain issues. One of the most notable controversies surrounding Cameron was his involvement in the Panama Papers scandal. In 2016, it was revealed that he had owned shares in an offshore investment fund set up by his father, which he had sold before becoming Prime Minister.

The revelation led to criticism of Cameron's personal wealth and his connections to offshore tax havens. Cameron was also criticized for his government's handling of the lobbying scandal involving former Conservative Party donor and lobbyist, Ian Cameron. Ian Cameron was alleged to have lobbied the government on behalf of his clients, and there were concerns about the access he had to government officials. It is important to note that Cameron has denied any wrongdoing and has stated that he followed all the rules regarding his finances and his government's handling of the lobbying scandal. However, the controversies surrounding his personal finances and his government's connections to lobbying have tarnished his reputation and led to criticism of the UK's political system more broadly.

6: Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan is the current President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the ruler of Abu Dhabi. As a member of the ruling Al Nahyan family, he is one of the wealthiest and most powerful figures in the UAE and the wider Middle East region. While there have been no specific allegations of corruption against Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan himself, there have been concerns about corruption and lack of transparency within the UAE's government and business sectors.

The UAE's government is known for its close ties to the country's major corporations, and there have been allegations of cronyism and favoritism in government contracts and business dealings. In recent years, the UAE has made some efforts to improve transparency and tackle corruption, including the establishment of a number of anti-corruption agencies and the introduction of new laws to regulate government procurement and public-private partnerships. However, critics argue that more needs to be done to address the root causes of corruption and to promote greater accountability and transparency in the country's government and business sectors. It is important to note that allegations of corruption in the UAE are often difficult to verify due to the country's strict media censorship and limited freedom of expression.

5: Narendra Modi is the current Prime Minister of India, having been in office since 2014. While he is widely seen as a strong and decisive leader who has implemented a number of reforms aimed at improving India's economy and infrastructure, his government has also faced allegations of corruption and cronyism. One of the most high-profile corruption controversies during Modi's tenure was the Rafale fighter jet deal with France.

Critics alleged that the deal was tainted by corruption and that Modi's government had violated procurement rules and favored a particular company. The Indian government denied these allegations and insisted that the deal was above board, but the controversy caused significant political damage and drew attention to concerns about corruption in the Indian defense sector. There have also been concerns about the close ties between Modi's government and certain business interests, with allegations of favoritism and cronyism in government contracts and decisions. Critics argue that this has led to a lack of transparency and accountability in the Indian government, with powerful corporate interests wielding disproportionate influence over policy decisions. It is important to note that the Indian government has taken some steps to address corruption during Modi's tenure, including the introduction of new anti-corruption legislation and the establishment of a dedicated anti-corruption unit. However, many critics argue that more needs to be done to promote transparency and accountability in the Indian government and to address the root causes of corruption in the country.

4: Asif Ali Zardari is a former President of Pakistan, having served from 2008 to 2013. During his time in office, his government faced allegations of corruption and financial mismanagement. One of the most high-profile corruption scandals during Zardari's presidency was the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO), which was introduced in 2007 to grant amnesty to politicians and bureaucrats accused of corruption and other crimes. 

Critics alleged that the NRO was a ploy by Zardari's government to protect corrupt officials and undermine the country's justice system. Zardari himself faced a number of corruption allegations during his time in office, including accusations of money laundering and embezzlement. These allegations were tied to his time as a private businessman and politician, as well as to his tenure as President of Pakistan. While Zardari has denied any wrongdoing and has not been convicted of any crimes, the corruption allegations against him and his government have contributed to a widespread perception of corruption and lack of transparency in Pakistani politics. Critics argue that corruption has long been a major problem in Pakistan, and that the failure to address it has undermined the country's development and stability. It is worth noting that Pakistan's current government has also faced corruption allegations, and that many critics argue that corruption remains a significant challenge for the country.

3: Salman bin Abdulaziz is the current King of Saudi Arabia, having ascended to the throne in 2015. While he has been widely credited with implementing a number of social and economic reforms in the country, there have also been concerns about corruption and lack of transparency within the Saudi government and business sectors. One of the most high-profile corruption controversies during Salman's tenure was the arrest and detention of hundreds of prominent businessmen, officials, and members of the royal family in 2017.

The Saudi government claimed that these arrests were part of an anti-corruption crackdown, but many observers criticized the lack of transparency and due process in the arrests and questioned whether the campaign was primarily aimed at consolidating power and suppressing political opposition. There have also been long-standing concerns about corruption in Saudi Arabia's government and business sectors, with allegations of cronyism, nepotism, and favoritism in government contracts and business dealings. The country's vast oil wealth and close ties between the government and major corporations have contributed to a perception that corruption is endemic and that powerful elites are able to operate with impunity. While the Saudi government has taken some steps to address corruption in recent years, including the establishment of a dedicated anti-corruption agency and the introduction of new laws to regulate government procurement, critics argue that more needs to be done to promote transparency and accountability in the country's government and business sectors.

2: Vladimir Putin is the current President of Russia, having served since 2012 (with a previous term from 2000 to 2008). While he is widely seen as a strong and assertive leader who has worked to restore Russia's global influence and promote economic development, his government has also faced numerous allegations of corruption and human rights abuses.


 One of the most high-profile corruption scandals during Putin's tenure was the so-called "Panama Papers" leak in 2016, which revealed that several close associates of Putin had used offshore companies to hide wealth and avoid taxes. The revelations sparked widespread outrage and calls for greater transparency and accountability in the Russian government and business sectors. There have also been concerns about corruption in the Russian government's procurement and contracting processes, with allegations of kickbacks and favoritism in the awarding of contracts for major infrastructure projects and government programs. The country's powerful oligarchs and business elites are widely perceived to have disproportionate influence over government policy and decision-making. In addition to allegations of corruption, Putin's government has also faced widespread criticism for human rights abuses, including restrictions on free speech and political dissent, persecution of journalists and activists, and violations of minority rights. Critics argue that these abuses are part of a broader pattern of authoritarianism and disregard for the rule of law in Putin's Russia. While the Russian government has taken some steps to address corruption and promote accountability in recent years, including the establishment of a new anti-corruption agency and the introduction of new laws to regulate government procurement, many observers argue that these measures have been largely cosmetic and have not addressed the root causes of corruption and abuse in the country.

1: Nawaz Sharif is a former Prime Minister of Pakistan, having served three non-consecutive terms between 1990 and 2017. During his time in office, Sharif faced numerous corruption allegations and controversies. One of the most high-profile corruption scandals involving Sharif was the Panama Papers leak in 2016, which revealed that his family had used offshore companies to purchase luxury properties in London. 

The revelations sparked widespread protests and calls for Sharif's resignation, and ultimately led to his ouster from office in 2017 after he was found guilty of corruption by Pakistan's Supreme Court. In addition to the Panama Papers scandal, Sharif faced numerous other allegations of corruption and abuse of power during his time in office. Critics accused him of nepotism, cronyism, and favoritism in government contracts and appointments, and of using his position to enrich himself and his family members. While Sharif has denied any wrongdoing and has claimed that the corruption allegations against him are politically motivated, his ouster from office and subsequent imprisonment have contributed to a perception of widespread corruption and lack of accountability in Pakistani politics. Critics argue that corruption remains a major challenge for Pakistan, and that the failure to address it has undermined the country's development and stability.