The Philippines has been ranked “medium risk” in a new global index measuring political stability amid corruption, economic crime, and geopolitical pressures.
The inaugural Economic Crime and Geopolitics Index (ECGI) gave the country a score of 69.2 out of 100, placing it alongside Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Maldives. These nations were assessed to have relatively stronger governance structures and manageable exposure to corruption compared to higher-risk neighbors.
The index, developed by Sri Lankan foreign policy expert Asanga Abeyagoonasekera in partnership with the Millennium Project in Washington, D.C., is described as a “forward-looking early-warning mechanism” for policymakers, investors, and analysts. It is still being tested across more than 70 countries.
The report highlighted the Philippines’ ongoing struggle with corruption, as authorities continue to probe alleged anomalies in flood control projects. Public Works Secretary Vivencio Dizon recently warned that misused funds from such irregularities could reach into the trillions of pesos.
At the other end of the scale, Singapore, Brunei, and Bhutan emerged as the least risky in the region, praised for strong institutions, low corruption, and stable international engagement.
In contrast, Pakistan, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, India, Afghanistan, and Cambodia were classified as high-risk, with the report citing a volatile mix of corruption, weak institutions, civic unrest, and external pressures.
“Medium- and low-risk nations serve as practical examples, demonstrating how robust governance, proactive civic engagement, and calibrated diplomatic engagement can mitigate systemic vulnerabilities,” the report noted.
