Corruption in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia: Bribery as Experienced by the Population
Background
In 2002, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia implemented a legal framework for combating corruption, aiming to prevent and punish corrupt practices. However, a recent survey conducted by UNODC in partnership with the European Commission and the Government of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia has shed light on the prevalence of bribery, which is illegal under the United Nations Convention against Corruption.
Prevalence of Bribery
The survey, which interviewed 3,500 citizens aged 18-64 across the country, found that nearly half (46%) of respondents believe that corruption has increased in the past three years. Additionally, the same percentage reported having paid a bribe or knowing someone who had paid a bribe to access public services.
Sector-Specific Findings
The survey revealed that bribery was most prevalent in the following sectors:
- Healthcare: 22% of respondents reported paying a bribe or knowing someone who did so.
- Education: 19% of respondents reported paying a bribe or knowing someone who did so.
- Law Enforcement: 17% of respondents reported paying a bribe or knowing someone who did so.
Reporting Corruption
The survey also probed citizens’ experiences with reporting corruption to authorities. The findings indicated that:
- Only one in five (21%) respondents believed that reporting corruption would lead to successful prosecution.
- Nearly three-quarters (73%) of respondents felt that corruption was widespread and accepted by society.
Regional Coverage of the Survey
The survey was conducted across all regions of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, with a nationally representative sample of 3,500 citizens aged 18-64. The map below illustrates the regional coverage of the survey:
[Insert Map 1: Regional coverage of the Survey]
Methodology
The survey was conducted through face-to-face interviews with a nationally representative sample of citizens aged 18-64. Respondents were selected randomly in each region, ensuring that the findings are generalizable to the entire population.
Conclusion
Corruption remains a pervasive problem in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, with bribery being a widespread practice. The results of this survey demonstrate the need for sustained efforts to combat corruption and promote transparency and accountability in public service delivery.
The evidence-based information presented in this report is expected to provide an additional tool for developing well-targeted anti-corruption policies, both at a national and sub-national level. We believe that the findings of this study will contribute significantly to the global fight against corruption and support the efforts of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to comply with its obligations under the United Nations Convention against Corruption.