By Stanislava Gaydazhieva
More than 60% of Europeans believed that corruption was widely spread in the business of their countries in 2011 says a recent study conducted by Gallup International.
The results were based on interviews with approximately 1,000 adults per country, aged 15 or older. The number of countries studied was 140.
According to the outcomes of the research, 63 % of European citizens, 69 % of the citizens in other European countries (not part of the European Union) and 60% of Americans and Canadians believed that corruption in business was present in their countries and even categorized it as ‘widespread’.
corruption and bribery
The percentage of business corruption reported within the EU varied between 21% and 91%, with Portugal having the highest reported corruption (91%) and Denmark – the lowest reported corruption (21%).
On the other hand, the United States had the highest reported corruption in their region, namely 62%, while Canadians – the lowest (40%).
Furthermore, the European non-EU state which had the highest reported corruption in business for 2011 was the candidate for EU membership Croatia (93%). On the contrary, 63% of Montenegro citizens believed corruption in business was widespread, thus representing the non-EU European country with lowest reported corruption.
In addition, the Sub-Saharan Africa region represented the world’s area with highest business corruption reported (76%), closely followed by the Commonwealth of Independent States with 70% and Middle East and North Africa (69%).
The country with highest corruption in business reported in the Sub-Saharan Africa region was Kenya (89%), while the corresponding countries in the Commonwealth of Independent States and Middle East and North Africa were respectively Moldova (87%) and Israel (85%).
The study concluded that corruption in business is an issue for both, developed and developing countries. However, developing nations might suffer more ‘because corruption can stymie financial development and foreign investments and foster income inequality’. Last but not least, Gallup found out that ‘Strong leadership, policies, laws, and greater transparency are necessary to fight corruption, which in turn may actually promote job creation and economic development’.
Source: neurope
