Trinidad and Tobago
Capital
Port of Spain
Territory
5,130km²
Population (2020)
1,399,491
GDP Total (2020)
21.53B USD
GDP Per Capita (2020)
15,384 USD
Icome Group
High income
Convention Implementation
Corruption Resilience
Convention Implementation
Score by thematic sections and measures
Anti-corruption conventions timeline
| 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|
Conventions
- IACAC - Inter-American Convention Against Corruption
- UNCAC - United Nations Convention against Corruption
- OECD Anti-Bribery Convention
Key events
- Signed
- Ratifed / acceded
- Review rounds
Convention Implementation Analysis
Trinidad and Tobago signed and ratified the Inter-American Convention Against Corruption (IACAC) on April 15, 1998. It is a State Party to the Follow-Up Mechanism for the Implementation of the Inter-American Convention against Corruption (MESICIC) since June 4, 2001. The country also signed the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) on December 11, 2003, and subsequently ratified it on May 31, 2006. Accordingly, Trinidad and Tobago have undergone five rounds of review under MESICIC, and one round of review under the UNCAC review mechanism.
Trinidad and Tobago’s record in implementing its commitments to IACAC and UNCAC exhibits a large number of failures and a modicum of successes, with almost half of all measures committed to found to be deficient at core or unimplemented. With an overall score of 51.1, the measures adopted place the country in the lower level of compliance with international norms, surrounded by Guyana (49.1), Grenada (50.8), El Salvador (51.5), and Dominican Republic (55.7). Despite the low level of implementation and enforcement, some degree of progress is found in all three sections (although leaning towards criminalization and law enforcement rather than prevention). Conversely, Trinidad and Tobago’s efforts may also be described as generally lacking across the range of measures required by the conventions.
The prevention of corruption is deficient but not totally lacking, classified as “core-deficient” by its average score and with over half of all measures within this section found deficient at core—the adoption of standards of conduct (28.9) and their enforcement (40.6), the training of public officials (28.9), transparency in government contracting (31.3), the state of oversight bodies (31.3), and the systems for registering asset and conflict of interests' declarations (40.6). The rest of the section remains in progress, with the study of preventive measures related to equitable compensation receiving the highest score among them—64.1.
In terms of criminalization and law enforcement, Trinidad and Tobago show better results than those regarding prevention—yet, significant deficiencies remain, with one third of all measures within this section classified as core-deficient or not implemented. The section shows stark contrasts in the level of implementation, as only four measures classified as “in progress”—the criminalization of extended forms of involvement in the commission of corruption offenses such as participation and attempt (47.7), active and passive bribery in the public sector (50.8), and money laundering (57.8)—and the rest being found either unimplemented/deficient or implemented. Among the measures found fully unimplemented, five are worth highlighting: the criminalization of the abuse of functions, active and passive bribery of foreign officials, illicit acquisition of a benefit (i.e., influence trading), and bribery in the private sector. Furthermore, the criminalization of illicit enrichment (31.3) and the protection of those who report acts of corruption (i.e., whistleblower protection) (33.6) are deficient at core. On the other hand, roughly half of all measures within this section are considered to be implemented, including those pertaining to embezzlement in the public and private sectors, the obstruction of justice, the liability of legal persons, and broader consequences—such as the rescinding of contracts and obtaining compensation—for the commitment of corrupt offenses, among others.
The country is found only partially compliant with its commitments to establish jurisdiction over the offenses covered by the conventions. The UNCAC review mechanism reports that “there is no jurisdiction over crimes committed abroad, even if the victim is a national of Trinidad and Tobago”, and “there is no jurisdiction for cases against foreign nationals who commit offenses in foreign jurisdictions and are thereafter found in Trinidad and Tobago and not extradited.” Trinidad and Tobago’s record in promoting and engaging with international cooperation is also lackluster, achieving an average section score lower than that for criminalization and law enforcement (discussed in the previous paragraph) but still receiving a classification of “in progress”. Measures related to extradition are severely deficient, not least due to the fact that “Trinidad and Tobago do not recognize UNCAC as a legal basis for extradition and does not proceed to extradition with a country with which there is no applicable treaty. It was reported that there are currently no treaties under negotiation.”
Corruption Resilience
Score by indicator
Corruption Resilience score over the time
Analysis
Trinidad and Tobago's social context indicator score for 2020 increased by 0.62 points from the previous year. The Western Hemisphere region indicator average was 64.89 for 2020, and Trinidad and Tobago's were above the average by 8.23 points. Since 2010 the country's score has been declining by approximately 1.5 and 2 points a year until 2020 when its score increased. Despite the decline of the country's score since 2010, it has consistently achieved a high score compared to its Western Hemisphere and particularly its subregion counterparts. Trinidad and Tobago achieved the highest score in 2010 with 78.99 and its lowest score in 2019 with 72.50. The country's social context indicator for 2020 is primarily attributed to guaranteed political rights and civil liberties are respected. Media outlets face no challenges, and freedom of expression is respected.
The country's quality of government score for 2020 increased by 8.87 points from the previous year. Throughout the decade, the country has obtained a score between 46.05 and 57.16, with a decade range between the highest and lowest score was 11.11 points. The Western Hemisphere country's indicator average was 50.63 for 2020, and Trinidad and Tobago's were above the average by 6.53 points. The country's indicator score is attributed to moderate control on corruption and adequate government and bureaucratic system.
Trinidad and Tobago's rule of law indicator increased in 2020 by a marginal 0.19 points from the previous year. Throughout the decade, the country's indicator score has varied, where its highest score achieved was in 2018 with 60.45, and its lowest indicator score was achieved in 2014 with 49.99. Trinidad and Tobago's indicator score was above the Western Hemisphere average for 2020 by 5.47 points. The country's indicator score is mainly because the judiciary system is independent; however, it's vulnerable to politicization and corruption. In addition, due process is guaranteed within the country's constitution, but at times, this is not respected.
The business stability indicator for Trinidad and Tobago increased in 2020 by 0.79 points from the previous year. The country's score is above the average for the Western Hemisphere of 50.53 for 2020 by 3.07 points. Since 2010 the country's indicator score has varied, where Trinidad and Tobago achieved its highest indicator score in 2018 with 54.29 and its lowest indicator score in 2014 with 49.99. Trinidad and Tobago's indicator score is attributed to weak regulations and widespread corruption that impact private sector businesses.
Trinidad and Tobago's violence and security indicator increased in 2020 by 5.67 points from the previous year. The country's indicator score is above the Western Hemisphere average of 55.04 by 6.84 points. Throughout the decade, the violence and security indicator score for Trinidad and Tobago has varied. It attained its highest indicator score in 2012 with 63.46 and its lowest indicator score in 2019 with 56.21. The country's score for 2020 is related to criminal-gang activity and drug trafficking.