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Corruption in Public Services: A Prevalent Issue in Bosnia and Herzegovina
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The quality and efficiency of public services are crucial in shaping citizens’ lives. However, many citizens report experiencing corruption when accessing these services, which can undermine their trust in institutions and deter them from seeking help.
Prevalence of Bribery
According to a survey, 28.6 per cent of citizens reported having paid a bribe at least once in their lifetime to access a public service or to get something done by an official (Table 1). This percentage is higher when looking only at the respondents who experienced bribery in the last 12 months, with 15.4 per cent stating that they had paid a bribe during this period.
| Category | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Lifetime experience of paying a bribe | 28.6% |
| Experienced paying a bribe in the last 12 months | 15.4% |
Sectors Affected
The sectors most commonly affected by bribery are:
- Health sector (34.5%)
- Police (23.8%)
- Education (14.9%)
These results indicate that corruption is a widespread issue in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with many citizens experiencing it when accessing public services.
Positions Affected
The positions most commonly affected by bribery are:
- Doctors/medical staff (43.4%)
- Police officers (29.6%)
- Teachers (15.8%)
These results suggest that corruption is a significant issue in the health, education, and justice sectors, with doctors, police officers, and teachers being among the most commonly affected positions.
Conclusion
Bribery is a prevalent issue in Bosnia and Herzegovina, affecting many citizens when accessing public services. The sectors most commonly affected are health, police, and education, while the positions most commonly affected are doctors/medical staff, police officers, and teachers.
Recommendations
- Strengthen institutions and capacity building: Implement measures to strengthen institutions and build capacity in key sectors such as health, education, and justice.
- Improve transparency and accountability: Increase transparency and accountability in public services, ensuring that citizens can easily access information about service delivery and outcomes.
- Enhance citizen engagement: Encourage citizen engagement and participation in decision-making processes to ensure that their needs are taken into account when delivering public services.
- Implement effective anti-corruption measures: Develop and implement effective anti-corruption measures, including policies, laws, and regulations that prevent corruption and hold perpetrators accountable.
By addressing these issues and implementing targeted anti-corruption efforts, Bosnia and Herzegovina can improve the delivery of public services, increase citizen trust in institutions, and promote a more equitable and just society.