Financial Crime World

Albania’s Business Sector Hit by Corruption and Crime

Corruption and crime are rampant in Albania’s business sector, according to a recent study conducted by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in partnership with the Institute of Statistics of Albania (INSTAT). The survey reveals that nearly one out of six companies pays bribes to public officials.

Key Findings

  • 85.1% of businesses surveyed had at least one direct contact with a public official or civil servant in the 12 months prior to the survey.
  • The rate of direct interaction varied across different sectors, ranging from 75.2% in the Manufacturing, Electricity, Gas and Water supply sector to 88.4% in the Wholesale trade and Retail trade sector.
  • A significant number of interactions with public officials were vulnerable to manipulation in exchange for private benefits.
  • The average prevalence of business bribery in Albania was found to be 15.7%, meaning that around one out of six businesses paid a bribe to a public official.

Frequency of Bribe-Paying

  • Businesses that paid bribes in Albania paid an average of 4.6 bribes to public officials during the 12 months prior to the survey.
  • The frequency of bribe-paying is lower than the regional average, but the prevalence of business bribery in Albania is higher.

Consequences and Recommendations

The findings of this study highlight the need for strengthened integrity and transparency between public offices and the business sector. This includes an enabling environment for businesses to operate without fear of corruption and crime. The report aims to provide analytical insights into a hidden phenomenon and hopes that the factual information contained will supply public authorities and business organizations with a useful tool for further strengthening their anti-corruption policies and strategies.

Funding and Regional Context

The study was funded by the European Union through its Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance 2011, which supports the implementation of reforms in candidate countries. The results are part of a larger regional report on business, corruption, and crime in the western Balkans, which aims to provide a comprehensive picture of the impact of bribery and other crimes on private enterprise in the region.