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Corruption in Afghanistan: Recent Patterns and Trends

Kabul, Afghanistan - A new survey has revealed that corruption is a widespread phenomenon in Afghanistan, with many citizens paying bribes to public officials to get things done.

Widespread Bribery

According to the survey, which was conducted by the government and international organizations, 15% of adult citizens reported paying bribes to public officials in the past year. The average amount paid was between $100 and $150, with some individuals paying as much as $500.

Types of Public Officials Involved

The survey also found that different types of public officials were more likely to be involved in corruption than others. For example:

• Police officers: 1/3 reported being offered a bribe to prevent imprisonment or speed up the release of a prisoner.
• Customs officials: 21% reported receiving offers to facilitate the trafficking of people and weapons.
• Teachers and lecturers: reported being offered bribes to improve exam results or provide information about exam contents.

Who Requests Bribes?

In 85% of cases, the bribe was either directly or indirectly requested by the public official. In only 13% of cases, the citizen made the offer. Interestingly, female citizens were more likely to make bribe offers (23.3%) than male citizens (6.8%).

Impact and Recommendations

The findings of this survey underscore the need for concrete measures to fight corruption in Afghanistan.

Mechanism and Impact of Bribery in the Public Sector

• Explicit requests for bribes are made by public officials in over 30% of cases.
• Implicit requests or use of intermediaries facilitate bribery in many cases.
• Lack of fear and shame among some public officials instigating acts of corruption is a concern.

The impact of corruption on citizens’ daily lives is significant, leading to delays, inefficiencies, and even violence. Therefore, addressing corruption requires:

Recommendations

1. Conducting further research on corruption in Afghanistan to better understand its causes and consequences.
2. Implementing concrete measures to prevent corrupt practices, such as training public officials on ethical standards and whistleblower protection.
3. Increasing transparency and accountability in government procurement and contracting processes.
4. Raising awareness about the negative impact of corruption among citizens, particularly women who are disproportionately affected by it.

By addressing corruption, Afghanistan can build a more just and equitable society where citizens have equal access to public services and opportunities.