Ukrainians Feel More Corruption, but Experience Slightly Less

The most complex anti-corruption research in Ukraine finds that while corruption remains widespread, there are conflicting trends in corruption. While citizens perceive an increase in the degree of corruption over the last two years, the survey found the decrease in frequency of corruption cases that decreased from 67% in 2007 to 62,5% in 2009. Moreover, the survey determined a drastic decrease in trust toward all government institutions and government initiative to fight corruption.

While the overall level of corruption remains high, the 2009 survey indicates a decrease in the occurrence of corruption cases and increase in the perception that corruption is widespread. 

A comparative analysis of corruption surveys conducted between 2007 and 2009 indicates that Ukrainians experience an increase in the degree of corruption. The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) increased from 35.4% in 2007 to  38.1% in 2009. 

The perceived spread of corruption in sectors correlates with the loss of trust towards government authorities. The greatest decline in trust is towards the President, Presidential Secretariat, and the Cabinet of Ministers. Only 5-7% of the population expressed trust in these government institutions in 2009 in comparison to 15-16% in 2007. Oblast State Administrations receive more support from the public. However, only one fifth of all respondents expressed confidence in actions of Oblast officials. 

Despite a low level of trust in government institutions, majority of Ukrainians continue to view high-ranking government institutions responsible for the fight against corruption. 68.8% of Ukrainians believe that reducing corruption is the responsibility of the President; 48.8% of surveyed feel that the Verkhovna Rada should lead anticorruption programs; and 44.2% believe it is a responsibility of the Cabinet of Ministers.  Within a year, a number of Ukrainians who rely on the Cabinet of Ministers’ ability to effectively combat corruption has decreased to zero. Lastly, Ukrainians do not believe that government authorities are interested in reducing corruption.

The 2009 household survey indicated a slight decrease in public experiences with corruption. 62.5% of surveyed indicated involvement in corrupt transactions with government officials over the past 12 months in comparison with 67% in 2007.

The overall level of corruption in Ukraine remains very high.  Consistently bribes are extorted twice as often as they are given voluntarily.  Over the last two years, agencies responsible for the military draft experienced the highest decrease in extortion cases (from 32% to 20%). The frequency of corruption also declined in communal installing or repair service industry (from 37% to 26%), social aid application process (from 7% to 3%), and state healthcare sector (from 65% to 63%).

A significant share of respondents (51.5%) initiates bribery to expedite a personal matter and considers such behavior acceptable. Within couple years, the most significant decrease in voluntary bribery was witnessed during transactions with state notaries (from 11% to 5%), representatives of the judicial system (from 14% to 9%), the SAI staff (from 35% to 31%), communal service providers (from 15% to 11%), social aid workers (from 7% to 3%), and real estate registration or privatization officers (from 12% to 9%).

At the same time, the use of personal connections has increase.  Favoritism and nepotism occurred more often in following sectors: business regulation and inspection (from 23.6% to 25.2%), land (from 16.7% to 18.7%), state notaries (from 6% to 11.5%), and universities (from 21.9% to 26.9%).

Public response to corruption. The reason behind public inaction is a lack of certainty in effectiveness of actions.  Nonetheless, 36% of respondents indicate willingness to protect their rights to reduce corruption– a significant increase from the 2007 result of 33%.  Over the last two years, public support for the active anticorruption program has increased. In particular, larger population supports strengthening of criminal charges for corrupt government employees including imposition of such methods as removal and prohibition from the post.

“Such results might seem contradictory, but are in fact further confirmation that corruption is a complex market mechanism that develops according to predictable rules,” said Juhani Grossmann, ACTION-MSI Chief of Party. “On the other hand, there is a decrease in the actual experience of corruption. This is likely due to a combination of some administrative measures and the financial crisis stifling business activity overall.”

Survey methodology and sample size:  the survey was conducted through personal interviews with  10,577 respondents aged over 18, including residents of villages, regional centers, and cities of all oblasts of Ukraine, Autonomous Republic of Crimea, and the city of Kyiv. 

Corruption includes many forms of behavior. In the survey, corruption is defined as the misuse of public office for private gain.  Therefore, corruption occurs, for example, when people who are paid form the state budget request or take bribes, gifts or favors;  abuse their government position; use their influence for personal benefit; show favoritism; or practice nepotism.  Occasionally, corruption involves transfer of money or gifts. Corruption always includes attempts to seek influence beyond what has been legally determined by law.  

Information about the project 

Promoting Active Citizen Engagement (ACTION) in Combating Corruption in Ukraine Project is implemented by Management Systems International (MSI) with the support of the US Agency for International Development (USAID). The Project is a two and a half year activity that supports non-governmental monitoring and advocacy on priority areas in combating corruption, focusing particularly on issues identified by the Government of Ukraine in its Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Threshold Country Plan. One of the important aims of the project is collecting and promulgating of objective data on the state of corruption in Ukraine.

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