A study of bribery and wealth in the ASEAN community based on the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) and GNP per Capita

Corruption is a reality of life in all countries and the ASEAN Community is no exception. This paper proposes that the wealth of a country can be a determinant of corruption. Accordingly, the authors sought to ascertain if there is a relationship between gross national product (GNP) per capita and the corruption perception index (CPI) of ASEAN countries. Through statistical analysis, this study demonstrates that there is a significant linear relationship between wealth generation and a country's level of corruption. Wealth, or lack of it, emerges as a significant determinant variable in understanding the corruption pattern. The implications of these findings are discussed and suggestions for future research are provided by the authors.