Public Opinion in Central America: Corruption, Trust, Security, and Justice

This comprehensive report presents key findings on public opinion in Central America regarding corruption, trust in institutions, security and criminal justice, and access to justice.

Corruption: A Persistent Issue

Perceptions of Corruption

Respondents across all of Central America reported perceptions of corruption most frequently involving government officials, politicians, and the National Assembly.
Nicaragua saw the largest increases in the percentage of respondents who believe that most or all actors engage in corrupt practices.
Panamanians reported improved perceptions of corruption in 2022 compared to 2021, with prosecutors being considered the least corrupt actor.

Bribery Victimization

On average, Central American respondents reported paying a bribe most often in Nicaragua and least often in Costa Rica.
Respondents most frequently had to pay a bribe when requesting a government permit and least often when using public health services.

Trust: A Foundation for Stability

Public Trust

Respondents in Central America trust people living in their community more than any other public actor, while national government officers are trusted the least.
Levels of trust in Panama declined across almost every institution between 2021 and 2022, with Panamanians reporting higher levels of trust in people living in their community.

Security and Criminal Justice: A Complex Landscape

Crime and Safety

On average, roughly one-quarter (27%) of all respondents surveyed in Central America reported experiencing a crime in the last 12 months.
More than half (53%) of Panamanian respondents who were victims of a crime did not report the crime to an authority.
Perceptions of safety improved or remained the same in most countries, but Panama saw a decline in perceptions of safety.

Police Performance

Respondents in Central America had the most negative views on accountability and due process and the most positive views on public service and crime control, on average.
In Panama, respondents were most confident that police treat all people with respect and are available to help when needed, but least confident that police do not use excessive force.

Victim Support: A Critical Need

Victim Support

In almost every country surveyed in Central America, less than half of all respondents believed that victims of crime receive adequate support and protection.
Panamanians were most often confident that crime victims are addressed by the police using accessible language and receive a clear explanation of the crime reporting process.

Access to Justice: A Challenge

Access to Justice

One in four (25%) respondents in Central America reported experiencing a legal problem in the last two years, on average.
Nearly three-quarters (73%) of all settled problems were resolved within 6 months.
Panamanians reported the most commonly experienced problems included land disputes and housing issues.

These findings provide valuable insights into public opinion in Central America regarding corruption, trust in institutions, security and criminal justice, and access to justice.