THE CAUCASUS RESEARCH RESOURCE CENTERS PRESENT THE 2008 ARMENIA CORRUPTION SURVEY OF HOUSEHOLDS

armradio.am
21.07.2009 18:26

On July 21st the Caucasus Research Resource Centers, a program of
the Eurasia Partnership Foundation in Armenia, presented the key
findings from the USAID Mobilizing Action Against Corruption (MAAC)
Activity’s 2008 Armenia Corruption Survey of Households. The survey
sample included 1,549 adults from all over the country.

The current economic crisis has had drastic effects on Armenia,
and the South Caucasus in general, but what persists throughout
both the global crisis and periods of prosperity is the presence
of corruption. The Corruption survey provides a unique and valuable
opportunity to examine the general perceptions, personal experience,
and perceptions of the government’s anticorruption activity.

The basic findings of the survey reveal that 86% consider corruption
a very serious problem. The level of corruption is perceived commonly
in the electoral system (66%), police (66%), healthcare (61%) and
education (58%).

Inside the public sector, 45% of respondents see corruption as more
severe among high-ranking public officials, whereas only 9% believe
it is most prevalent among low ranking public officials.

The overall perception of what constitutes corruption was assessed:
95% agreed that paying a judge to achieve favorable treatment was a
form of corruption, while only 37% considered using=2 0an office car
by a government employee for private purposes to be a corrupt act. But
there is some hope, though 53% of individuals reported they would pay
a bribe if asked, 72% stated they would not take a bribe if offered.

Surprisingly, punishment is not an effective way to prevent bribery
since only 5% of those who would not pay a bribe, and 11% of those
who would not take one, mentioned a high risk of being punished.

What is most concerning is that more than half of the respondents
believe there is nothing they can do personally to reduce
corruption. The data shows that from the respondents’ perspective the
government is doing very little, with 52% of Yerevan respondents and
about 30% of respondents from other cities and rural areas disagreeing
with the statement that the government has a sincere desire to combat
corruption.

Despite the government and societal inadequacies, the perceived level
of corruption in Armenia slightly diminished: 30% of respondents
of the survey believe it has decreased relative to the year before,
while 17% believe it has increased.

In the long run, this survey provides a unique tool for the Government
and NGOs in Armenia to create solid strategies to fight corruption
taking into account the public opinion and perceptions, as well as
empower citizens of in defending their rights.