Ten Countries with Highest Illicit Financial Flows


Currencies are the most important medium of exchange. Any nation’s growth depends on the value of their currency.
But in recent times, it is found that more than the growth of the nation, people are concentrated on their own growth. This is the reason why many countries are not able to develop and the common population is still striving for food.
As recorded by Global Finance Integrity for the period of 2001-2010, here is the list of the 10 countries with maximum flow of unlawful money as reported by Yahoo.

1. China
Amount: $ 2.74 trillion

The most populated country in the world which has one of the wonders of the world, ‘The Great Wall’.  China is also known for their technology, martial arts and the second largest country by land area. China’s fame is an unending list.
This nation also tops the list of unlawful money. Between the years 2001-2010, this nation’s unlawful outflow was estimated to be $ 2.74 trillion.

2. Mexico
Amount: $ 476 billion

The name ‘Mexico’ itself is enough to reflect colorful-decorated flavored cuisines, chocolates, music, mariachis and many more. It is the world’s eleventh most populated country in the world.
In tourism based income, Mexico holds the twenty third rank in the world. Well, Mexico is also popular for its crime rates. Drug trafficking and other narcotic related problems are the major issues in Mexico.

This is not the end for Mexico. With a possession of $ 476 billion, Global Financial Integrity has ranked Mexico as the successor of China in the list of illicit money.

3. Malaysia
Amount: $450  billion

Malaysia is one of the Asian countries with the best infrastructure. It consists of thirteen states and three federal territories.
From 1957 to 2005, Malaysia had one of the best economic records in Asia. In 2011 the Gross Domestic Product of Malaysia was about $450  billion, the 3rd largest economy in ASEAN and 29th largest in the world.
Malaysia is also growing at a higher rate as an eco-tourist spot. It’s multi-ethnic culture and the natural beauties attracts most of the tourists.
This country has been awarded with the third rank in this list.

4. Saudi Arabia
Amount: $ 210 billion

The home to the most inherited sites for the Muslims, Saudi Arabia inherited wealth in the form of oils. It is the second largest oil reservoir in the entire world. Saudi Arabia also has a huge amount of gold mines.
Saudi Arabia has a per capita income of $24,200 (2010).
The outflow of Saudi Arabia’s black money is estimated to be $ 210 billion and the Global Financial Integrity has ranked them as number four in this list.

5. Russia
Amount: $ 153 billion

Russia has been a pioneer nation in the world of science. The world’s first human spaceflight was launched by Russia.
Russia is the world’s largest reserves of mineral and energy resources. It is the global leader in producing oil and natural gas.With time, Russia was able to maintain their image as a ‘Super Power’ nation. It is said that Russia has the largest stock pile of weapons of mass destruction.
With so many glories, Russia has been placed on the fifth rank among the nations having an impactful outflow of illegal money. It is ranked fifth in this list with an estimated amount of $ 153 billion.

6. Philippines
Amount: $ 138 billion


Philippines is naturally gifted with natural recourses. Its rainforests serves as the home to many diverse range of plants, birds, animals and sea creatures. The geographical location of this country has made it prone to earthquakes and typhoons.
It is one the primary exporter of electronic products and semiconductors, garments, petroleum products, fruits, transport equipments, copper products, etc.
Starting form 2001 till 2010, the amount of illegal money flow if Philippines was estimated as $ 138 billion.

7. Nigeria
Amount: $ 129 billion

Nigeria got its name from the ‘Niger’ river and obtained freedom in 1960. Today, Nigeria is the largest trading partner of the U.S.
The Citigroup estimated that Nigeria will get the highest average GDP growth during the period 2010-2050.
Crimes in Nigeria are mostly focused on drug trafficking, illegal export of heroin from Asia to Europe.
With an outflow of $ 129 billion, Nigeria stands in the seventh place in this list.

8. India
Amount: $ 123 billion

India is the largest democracy in the world and the second most populated nation.
With all the natural recourses, India has become on the fastest growing economy in the world. India is the home some of the global leaders like RIL, Tata, Wipro, Infosys, etc.
Talking about India, its colorful tradition and culture has been attracting tourists from each and every corner of the globe.
According to the recent study by the Global Financial Integrity, India had an illegal outflow of $ 123 billion and is ranked eighth.

9. Indonesia
Amount: $ 109 billion

Indonesia is the world’s fourth most populous country. In terms of GDP, Indonesian economy is the sixteenth largest in the world.
The gross domestic product (GDP) is estimated about $1 trillion and the debt ratio to the GDP is 26%.  And the country’s major export commodities include oil and gas, electrical appliances, plywood, rubber, and textiles.
Indonesia has an illicit outflow of $ 109 billion and is placed in the ninth position worldwide.

10. United Arab Emirates
Amount: $ 107 billion

UAE is one of the largest producers of oil and natural gases. Before oil was discovered, the UAE economy was dependant on fishing.UAE is one of the most favorite holiday spot across the globe and in terms of tourism revenue, UAE tops the chart.UAE is also the home to some mega structures like the ‘Burj Dubai’, ‘Palm Islands’, ‘World Island’ and the ‘Burj-al Arab’.UAE scored the tenth rank in this list with an outflow of $ 107 billion between 2001-2010.

Ozone hole second smallest in 20 years


Bringing great reprive to scientists monitoring ozone hole over the Antarctic, the the average area covered by the hole this year is smallest in the last 20 years. 
 
The ozone hole reached its maximum size Sep 22, covering 8.2 million square miles (21.2 million sq km), or the area of the US, Canada and Mexico combined, according to data from NASA and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) satellites.
 
The average size of the 2012 ozone hole was 6.9 million sq miles (17.9 million square km). The Sep 6, 2000 ozone hole was the largest on record at 11.5 million square miles (29.9 million sq km). 
 
Ozone layer acts as Earth’s natural shield against ultraviolet radiation, which can cause skin cancer. The ozone hole phenomenon began making a yearly appearance in the early 1980s. 
 
“The ozone hole mainly is caused by chlorine from human-produced chemicals, and these chlorine levels are still sizable in the Antarctic stratosphere,” said atmospheric scientist Paul Newman of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Centre in Greenbelt, according to a NASA statement. 
 
“Natural fluctuations in weather patterns resulted in warmer stratospheric temperatures this year. These temperatures led to a smaller ozone hole,” added Newman. 
 
The Antarctic ozone layer likely will not return to its early 1980s state until about 2065, Newman said. The lengthy recovery is because of the long lifetimes of ozone-depleting substances in the atmosphere. 
 
Overall atmospheric ozone no longer is declining as concentrations of ozone-depleting substances decrease. The decrease is the result of an international agreement regulating the production of certain chemicals.