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Bribery Prevalence in Albania: Key Findings
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Overview of Bribery in Albania
Bribery remains a significant problem in Albania, with a notable prevalence of business bribery. According to recent surveys, here are some key points that highlight the scope and frequency of bribery in the country.
1. Prevalence of Business Bribery
- The average prevalence of business bribery in Albania is 15.7%.
- This means that approximately one out of six businesses in the five economic sectors surveyed, who had contact with a public official in the 12 months prior to the survey, paid a bribe to a public official.
2. Frequency of Bribes Paid
- In Albania, bribe-paying businesses paid an average of 4.6 bribes to public officials during the 12 months prior to the survey.
- This indicates that while bribery is prevalent, the frequency of bribe-paying is relatively low compared to other countries in the region.
Comparison with Regional Average
- The prevalence of business bribery in Albania is higher than the regional average (10.2%).
- However, the frequency of bribe-paying is lower than in the western Balkans as a whole (average frequency of 7.1).
These findings suggest that while bribery remains a challenge in Albania, the country’s businesses may be less likely to engage in frequent bribes compared to their regional counterparts.