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Basel AML Index

Assessing money laundering risks around the world

The Basel AML Index is an independent, data-based ranking and risk assessment tool for money laundering and related financial crime risks around the world.

Developed and maintained by the Basel Institute on Governance, it helps organisations understand and assess jurisdiction-level financial crime risks using reliable, publicly available data.

The Basel AML Index is used by policymakers, regulators, financial institutions, researchers and the media to better understand financial crime risks and make more informed decisions.

Explore the Basel AML Index

What is the Basel AML Index?

The Basel AML Index measures the vulnerability of countries and jurisdictions to money laundering and related financial crime, as well as their capacity to counter these threats.

It combines data from 17 publicly available indicators from respected international sources including the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), Transparency International and the Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime.

Risk scores cover five domains that contribute to money laundering and related financial crime risks:

  1. Quality of AML/CFT/CPF framework as assessed by the FATF and FATF-style regional bodies
  2. Corruption and fraud risks including bribery, financial secrecy and related vulnerabilities
  3. Financial transparency and standards covering regulatory quality and reporting requirements
  4. Public transparency and accountability examining governance, freedom of the press and judicial independence
  5. Political and legal risks assessing the rule of law, political stability and the strength of the legal system

The Public Edition currently covers 177 jurisdictions, while the Expert Editions provide additional data and analytical tools covering 203 jurisdictions.

Why people use it

The Basel AML Index helps organisations understand financial crime risks at the jurisdiction level, benchmark performance and strengthen risk assessment approaches.

Compliance and risk departments

Financial institutions and other organisations subject to AML/CFT reporting obligations use the Basel AML Index to:

  • — assess country and regional risks
  • — benchmark internal risk models
  • — strengthen AML/CFT compliance frameworks
  • — contribute to robust risk assessment processes
  • — identify higher- and lower-risk jurisdictions to prioritise resources

Public authorities

Supervisory authorities, policymakers and regulators use the Basel AML Index to:

  • — assess jurisdiction-level risks and vulnerabilities
  • — support preparation for FATF assessments
  • — benchmark progress over time and against peers
  • — identify areas for policy improvement and prioritisation
  • — strengthen supervisory and regulatory approaches

Researchers and media

Researchers, analysts and journalists use the Basel AML Index to:

  • — compare risks across jurisdictions
  • — analyse trends over time
  • — support evidence-based reporting and research
  • — strengthen understanding of financial crime risks globally

Public Edition, Expert Edition and Expert Edition Plus

The Basel AML Index is available in three editions designed for different user needs.

Free

Public Edition

Free access to the annual global ranking and jurisdiction risk scores. An accessible overview of global money laundering risks and how jurisdictions compare.

  • annual global ranking
  • jurisdiction risk scores
Detailed

Expert Edition

Designed for organisations requiring more detailed data and analysis. Widely used for compliance and jurisdiction risk assessment.

  • quarterly updates
  • 203 jurisdiction profiles
  • interactive filtering and comparison tools
  • downloadable datasets
  • sanctions information
  • API integration options
Enhanced

Expert Edition Plus

Everything in the Expert Edition, plus enhanced analytical tools and reporting.

  • comparative analysis of FATF Mutual Evaluation Reports
  • analytical FATF scoring data
  • identification of jurisdictions at risk of FATF grey listing
  • additional jurisdiction-specific reports

Access policy

Subscriptions to Expert Edition and Expert Edition Plus are free for public-sector organisations, multilateral organisations, non-profits, academic institutions and media organisations. Private-sector organisations can subscribe for an annual fee.

Cover of the Basel AML Index annual report

Basel AML Index annual report

See the global ranking and regional snapshots, plus expert analysis of emerging issues shaping financial crime risks and AML/CFT assessment worldwide.

Read the latest report
Explore the Basel AML Index

Explore the Basel AML Index

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