Corruption, which has remained a chronic problem in Ukraine for decades, today ranks second after the war in the rating of the greatest threats to the country. According to the study "Corruption in Ukraine 2024: understanding, perception, prevalence" published by the National Agency for Prevention of Corruption (NACC), more than 94% of citizens and 90% of entrepreneurs consider corruption a serious problem that undermines the stability of the state.
What do Ukrainians think about corruption?
The study demonstrated that:
- 94.8% of the population consider corruption a serious threat, with 79.4% rated it as "very serious".
- Among the business, the situation is similar: 90.3% of entrepreneurs also called the problem relevant, with almost 80% of them critical.
Despite all the challenges of wartime, citizens continue to perceive corruption as one of the key obstacles to building a successful state.
Areas of the greatest corruption
According to the respondents, the most corrupt are:
- The judicial system - the confidence in the state institutions depends on the impartiality in justice.
- Customs - corruption schemes at customs hinder the development of the economy and cause billions of losses to the state.
In addition, the worst manifestation of corruption citizens and business consider political corruption at the highest level, in particular among government officials and deputies of the Verkhovna Rada.
The worst dynamics in recent years
The prevalence of corruption among the population has reached a record level in the last 7 years - 4.52 from 5 points . In 2017, this figure was 4.49. Similarly among entrepreneurs - 4.39 points.
Every seventh Ukrainian (69.1%) noted the increase in corruption over the last year. Only 2.5% of respondents said it was reduced. It is a alarm that demonstrates lack of reforms and anti -corruption measures.
Responsibility for combating corruption
When asked who is most responsible for countering corruption:
- 56.5% of citizens and 51.9% of entrepreneurs put this role on the President and his office.
- Despite the high expectations, the best assessed work in this direction of the Security Service of Ukraine - 2.15 points (population) and 2.6 points (business).
The war against Russia added another dimension to the problem of corruption. According to experts, theft of resources during martial law has a catastrophic impact on the country's defense capability. Publication of procurement data or drainage of confidential information can directly threaten the life of the military on the forefront.
Despite the growth of distrust and deterioration of the perception of the situation, the results of the survey indicate that Ukrainians continue to believe in the need for anti -corruption struggle. The key tasks remain:
- Restart the judicial system.
- Customs reform.
- Creating effective mechanisms for controlling the political elite.
Ukraine faces an important challenge: either corruption will be the next test that will be overcome, or it will continue to remain an "invisible front", at which the country risks losing more than from any enemy.
