Cleaning up corruption is a key condition of realizing a more accountable and economically prosperous Ukraine. Yet Ukrainians believe not enough has been done to tackle these core issues. At the same time, certain segments of the population are beginning to see their actions as part of the change that is needed.
Lake Research Partners and Karakoyun Strategies, in collaboration with Pact and Kiev International Institute of Sociology recently surveyed more than 10,000 Ukrainians about their perceptions towards corruption, the frequency in which they interact with corrupt activities, and ways Ukraine can overhaul corruption at every level. This survey tracked opinions from Ukraine before the EuroMaidan Revolution that drove President Viktor Yanukovych from power (2011, 2009, and 2007) to be able to compare opinions over time. This survey is the only genuine perception survey that gauges the local constituencies’ attitudes.
With several visits from U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, the International Monetary Fund as well as members of the European Union, the West has sent strong messages about the need to clean up corruption. Raising expectations and reminding Ukraine of its commitments to reform is important, yet these directives do not help change cultural perceptions or get to the root of corruption.
Overall, we found that perceptions toward corruption in general and in government have changed very little since the first survey in 2007, even with a new more democratic government in power; similar to what was recently confirmed by the recently published Transparency International study that ranked Ukraine 130 for corruption out of 168 countries measures.
Skepticism with the Poroshenko government runs deep over whether it can combat corruption and make the necessary changes needed to bring Ukraine out of transition. Survey results show that Ukrainians want to see their leaders publicly condemning corruption and reminding citizens that it’s time to build a better future for Ukraine through actions, not just words.
In some situations, Ukrainians are adamant that corruption has gotten worse. More than two-thirds (64%) of Ukrainians believe corruption is very common with most citizens encountering corruption at least once a year or more frequently. Ukrainians’ general frustration in the lack of change over time has created an environment that is distrustful toward government officials and entities and skeptical that change is happening or will come from this government as quickly as it was promised. Ukrainians tend to blame public officials for using their office for public gain and a lack of political will to change the status quo as two of the main causes of corruption.
However, while Ukrainians are skeptical of the prospects for change, they still have a desire for reform. Two-thirds (65%) of Ukrainians believe giving or taking bribes are in most cases not justified or never justified. Voluntary bribery is the only kind of corruption in the Ukrainian society that has not been increasing while measured, compared to extortion and using personal connections.
They also believe “we, the people” have a role in corruption’s grasp on society. Ukrainians openly acknowledge that they partake in corrupt activities because it makes life easier for them, but know one of the ways to root out corruption starts by citizens taking a stand by not participating in corrupt activities like paying bribes for medical or education services. The proportion of people placing major responsibility for addressing corruption on usual citizens is steadily growing (from 15.8% in 2007 to 18.0% in 2011 and up to 24.0% in 2015). A higher level of civic conscientiousness is seen in younger categories of the population (those under 45), and women are more conscientious even in the oldest age group. There is an audience for reform at the grassroots level.
The country made a visible, albeit slightly controversial, step forward with reforming the police in Kyiv. The approach brought in more “attractive” officers who were told to be friendlier with locals, even taking pictures with them for social media. This reform was generally mocked by international media, but respondents in the survey applauded the changes with the police and appreciated the public display of combatting corruption.
Respondents in our survey indicate a real desire to end corruption in their household and daily lives, but want accountability and transparency to be reflected on a national scale. Their frustration with the perceived lack of change is apparent in their desires to punish public officials who break anti-corruption laws or remove them from office altogether. Ukrainians want their public officials and leaders—the President, the Verkhovna Rada, and the Prime Minister and Cabinet officials to take the lead in anti-corruption reforms. Ukraine is on the long pathway to change and should be congratulated for its efforts, yet the country will only truly move forward once it takes on corruption and brings about the cultural shift it needs to move toward a more democratic, open and transparent society. That work starts at home.
The survey was conducted by Lake Research Partners and Kiev International Institute of Sociology in the frameworks of the UNITER project implemented in Ukraine by Pact under support of the US Agency for International Development.
Field stage of the survey was conducted from Aug. 15 until Sept. 17.
In total, 10,173 respondents have been interviewed. Statistical error for the sample in general does not exceed +/-1.5%.
Celinda Lake is president and founder of Lake Research Partners, a quantitative and qualitative research company. Kristina Wilfore is president of Karakoyun Strategies and a specialist in Ukraine politics and policy. The Kyiv Post awarded her Expat of the Year in 2011 for her work in defending democracy in Ukraine when she served as director of the National Democratic Institute’s Ukraine office.
For more information about the survey, please refer to the full report of findings on Pact’s website – Advocating for a Better Future for Ukraine: Combatting Corruption in a post-Maidan world.
