A new survey reveals that EU citizens believe levels of corruption have risen in the past three years, and is a major problem at all levels of government.The Eurobarometer survey, conducted in September 2011 and released in February, was commissioned by the EU's Directorate-General for Home Affairs as part of the EU's broader anti-corruption strategy.
Almost three-quarters of Europeans believe that corruption is a major problem in their country, although there are major differences between different countries – an overwhelming 98% of Greek respondents think corruption is a major problem, compared to just 19% in Denmark. Nearly half of respondents think that the level of corruption has increased, whilst only 7% think it has decreased. Slovenia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Portugal and Romania are most likely to think that corruption has increased.
The perceived reasons behind corruption make for interesting reading. A too-close relationship between business and politics is seen as the biggest cause of corruption, followed by inactivity by politicians and a lack of transparency in spending public funds.
Corruption is believed to be entrenched in the country's business culture by two-thirds of Europeans, with the strongest belief – here as on other key issues – in southern and eastern Europe. Northern European respondents, particularly in Scandinavia, are less likely to view corruption as part of their business culture, or more generally as a serious threat.
The report concludes that “there remains a general sense of inevitability and acceptance in relation to corruption” and that trust of national politicians is extremely low. Although private business itself is not seen as particularly corrupt, close links between politics and business is seen as conducive to corruption.
Sources: EU Observer, Eurobarometer
