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A survey conducted within the framework of the EEA Grants: The attitude of residents and entrepreneurs towards bribery is negative and persistent

A public opinion poll conducted by the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) reveals that 80% of residents and 78% of businesses would not be willing to bribe a public official to achieve a desired outcome. Results from KNAB’s public opinion polls over the past three years indicate that the negative attitude of residents and businesses towards corruption has been somewhat fluctuating but overall persistent.

The public opinion poll reveals that in 2023, compared to 2022, there was an increase in the willingness of residents to bribe public officials, while among businesses, this willingness decreased. Comparing the survey results obtained in 2023 with 2021, KNAB observes that over a three-year period, there have been minimal overall changes in both residents’ and businesses’ attitudes towards bribery, with an average of four out of five residents and businesses rejecting bribery.

The most frequently cited reason by residents for potentially giving a bribe is greater assurance that the problem will be addressed at all. This has been the main reason why residents have opted for bribery in all periods analyzed by KNAB. Meanwhile, businesses would most often be willing to give a bribe to ensure a more friendly and accommodating attitude from employees, as well as to receive assistance from officials, as regulations and procedures are unclear and complex.

The public opinion poll reveals a relatively stable attitude among residents and businesses towards using unofficial solutions to resolve various issues. In the 2023 survey, 19% of residents and 20% of businesses admitted to using unofficial solutions in the past two years. Comparing respondents’ answers in 2023 and 2021, it can be concluded that the experience has not changed significantly over a three-year period, and four out of five residents and businesses choose official solutions when resolving various issues.

The most common unofficial solution used by residents and businesses is using personal connections. In 2023, 23% of residents who used unofficial solutions resolved issues in court. This percentage is three times higher than in previous survey years. Meanwhile, 26% of businesses did so when resolving issues related to construction.

To reduce corruption, according to residents, it is necessary to ensure greater transparency and openness about how decisions are made, as well as to ensure stricter control over public procurement. Meanwhile, businesses believe that strict and realistic penalties should be imposed on offenders, as well as ensuring greater transparency and openness.

The public opinion poll involved 1047 residents aged 18 and over and 401 businesses operating in Latvia. The survey was conducted by the market and social research center “Latvijas Fakti” on behalf of KNAB from October 10 to November 7, 2023.

The survey was implemented within the framework of the project “Support for the establishment of a whistleblowing system in Latvia,” where KNAB receives grants from Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway’s European Economic Area. The aim of the project is to promote public involvement in reporting corruption and other latent crimes, while providing citizens with a secure and convenient reporting channel, as well as improving KNAB’s competence in detecting and investigating corrupt crimes.