Corruption in Moldova is changing its face. Although the size of bribe increased, it took on a new form. For the informal resolution of problems in the public sector, less money is given, but they now report more to relationships and gifts. At least this is what the results of the national survey to assess economic agents’ perceptions and experiences of corruption in the Republic of Moldova, presented by the Center for the Analysis and Prevention of Corruption and conducted by Data Inteligente (iData), show, IPN reports.

In a news conference hosted by IPN, iData deputy director Veronica Ateș said the survey revealed that in 2024, for the informal resolution of problems, over 37% of the interviewed economic agents resorted to relationships and contacts and only 30% gave money for this purpose. For comparison, in 2017 more than 41% of the economic agents gave money to solve their problems unofficially. At the same time, over 20% of the respondents gave gifts as bribes in the public sector.

Over 11% of the surveyed economic agents said that they were pressured to give bribes.
The survey also shows that, if they denounced acts of corruption, over 20% of the respondents solved their problem. 70% did not find a solution.

To the question “To what extent does corruption hinder business development in the Republic of Moldova”, 14% of the polled economic agents said that it “hinders a lot”, compared to about 27% in 2017.

At the same time, over 55% consider that it is necessary to toughen sanctions related to corruption for public agents, and more than 52% choose as a solution the efficiency of the judicial system’s activity to promote integrity in the public sector. 42% of the survey participants recommend training programs on integrity for public sector personnel.

The national survey to assess economic agents’ perceptions and experiences of corruption in the Republic of Moldova was conducted within a project implemented by the Center for the Analysis and Prevention of Corruption, with the support of Sweden, between June 27 and August 2, 2024 and covered a sample of 530 SMEs. The sampling error is 4.2%.

Note: IPN Agency offers the right of reply to persons who consider that they were targeted in the articles produced based on the statements of the organizers of this press conference, including by facilitating the organization of another press conference in similar conditions.