Dirty money

Where illicit financial outflows exceed 10% of GDP

source: Illicit Financial Flows and Development Indices: 2008–2012 (3 June 2015)

Togo tops the list of countries where dirty money makes up more than a tenth of GDP, according to a new report from US non-profit Global Financial Integrity.  The authors write: "It would not be overstating the point to note that, if any other economic factor had such a double-digit impact on GDP, it would be front-page news. Unfortunately, this is often not the case when illicit flows are concerned."

Many countries are leaking dirty cash much faster than legitimate funds are coming in. In the case of Nepal, illicit funds leaving the country are 18,000 percent more than inbound aid and investment combined.

Illicit financial outflows compared to incoming foreign investment

Illicit Financial Flows and Development Indices: 2008–2012 (Global Financial Integrity)