Iran performs poorly on Transparency International’s “Corruption Perceptions Index,” which has become the leading global indicator of public sector corruption. In 2024, Iran ranked 151st out of the 180 countries listed.  

Iranians don’t need this chart to tell them their country has a corruption problem; scandals have been headline news. So much so that in 2019, the Chief Justice launched a crackdown on corruption in the judiciary, declaring that the problem was systemic rather than sporadic.  

With the state and the Islamic charitable foundations dominating about 80% of the economy, the opportunities for insiders to line their pockets are endless. Most Iranians conclude that corruption is one reason why their naturally rich country delivers such poor living standards to its citizens, one of the principal driving forces behind the unrest in January 2026.  

The extent of corruption in Iran makes Jesus’ teaching to resist greed and to trust God for daily needs even more attractive. It is also a call for all Christians to be salt and light in this area of life.