In a bombshell revelation, a recent survey has exposed the shocking reality of corruption plaguing European nations in 2023. Startling statistics have emerged, indicating that a significant portion of Europeans find corruption to be an acceptable practice, while an overwhelming majority believes their countries are riddled with this insidious menace.
92% of people in Malta believe that corruption is widespread across the entire nation whilst the EU average stands at 70%.
The survey, conducted across several European Union member states, reveals a disconcerting truth: 64% of Europeans unequivocally deem corruption to be unacceptable. However, a concerning 27% of respondents see nothing wrong with offering gifts or doing favours to secure favours from public administrations or services. Even more alarming, 16% of those surveyed find it acceptable to provide monetary bribes for the same purpose.
The widespread perception of corruption’s prevalence is deeply distressing, as a staggering seven out of ten respondents believe their respective countries are plagued by this societal scourge. Furthermore, a shocking 74% of participants suspect corruption to be deeply entrenched within their national public institutions, while an equally concerning 73% perceive corruption to infest local or regional public entities.
The survey sheds light on the worrisome nexus between business and politics, with a resounding 78% of participants agreeing that close ties between these realms foster corruption. Additionally, 60% believe that corruption is deeply ingrained in their country’s business culture, painting a bleak picture of the ethical landscape. To make matters worse, 57% concur that political connections are the only pathway to success in their nation’s business sector.
Perhaps one of the most distressing revelations is the lack of knowledge and resources available to combat corruption effectively. Astonishingly, 54% of respondents confessed to being oblivious about where to report incidents of corruption. However, there were notable exceptions, with participants from Malta (63%) and Slovenia (62%) exhibiting a higher awareness of the reporting channels. Conversely, citizens from Poland (32%) and Hungary (33%) were least knowledgeable about reporting mechanisms.
The survey unearths disheartening reasons behind the reluctance to report corruption. Approximately 47% of respondents cite the difficulty in proving corruption as a significant hindrance, deterring them from speaking out. Three in ten participants express disillusionment, believing that reporting corruption would be futile, as those responsible are unlikely to face consequences. Furthermore, almost as many (28%) express concern about the lack of protection for whistleblowers, creating an environment of fear and impunity.
Regrettably, citizens exhibit a pervasive pessimism about their governments’ efforts to combat corruption. A mere 35% believe that anti-corruption measures are impartially implemented without ulterior motives. Additionally, only 32% feel that successful prosecutions occur frequently enough to deter corrupt practices. An alarming 30% express doubts regarding their national government’s effectiveness in combating corruption. The survey also highlights citizens’ concerns about the transparency and supervision of political party financing, with a mere 29% believing that sufficient oversight exists in their countries.
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