ATTITUDES OF SERBIAN CITIZENS TOWARDS CORRUPTION

Report prepared for UNDP SerbiaReport prepared by CeSID DOO, Belgrade

December 2013

2

METHODOLOGICAL REMARKS

Research realised by Public opinion research agency CeSID and UNDP Serbia

Field work Period between December 07 and 17, 2013

Type and sample sizeRandom, representative sample made out of 600 citizens of Serbia aged over

18

Sample frame Polling station territory, as the most reliable registry unit

Household selection Random sampling with no substitutions – every other house addresses, within

the polling station area

Selection of interviewees within households

Random sampling with no substitutions – selection of interviewees based on the first birthday method in relation to the

survey day

Research technique Face to face, within the household

Research instrument Questionnaire

3

GENERALLY SPEAKING, DO YOU THINK THINGS IN SERBIA ARE GOING IN THE RIGHT OR WRONG DIRECTION?

Optimism of Serbian citizens

still remains at the December 2013

level . At this moment, almost

one third of citizens (31%) are of the

opinion that things in Serbia are going

in the right direction! This represents the

third research cycle where we note

almost the same percent of citizens who express their

optimism concerning Serbia's

future.

Doesn’t know

In the right direction

In the wrong direction

12%

14%

73%

13%

16%

71%

23%

32%

45%

19%

32%

49%

21%

31%

48%

2013 Dec

2013 Jun

2012 Dec

2012 Jun

2011 Nov

4

How would you assess your current financial situation?

Since the beginning of the research project in 2009, we currently have the highest percentage of interviewees who believe their financial situation is unbearable (18%). If we

take into account another 36% of those who describe their financial position as bad, we get a bit more than half of Serbian citizens whose finances are barely sufficient for

survival.

2011 Nov 2012 Jun 2012 Dec 2013 Jun 2013 Dec

1% 1% 0% 1% 0%1% 0% 1% 1% 1%

12%9% 10% 9% 9%

35%31%

45%

37% 37%

45% 45%

31%

36% 36%

6%

14% 13%16%

18%

Doesn`t know

Exceptionally good

Fairly good

Bearable

Bad

Unbearable

5

WHAT ARE THE KEY PROBLEMS?

Negative parameters of living standards

represent the precondition on the list

of key problems the citizens of Serbia face.

Poverty has pushed corruption from second to third position on the list of biggest problems

the citizens face.

At this moment, immediately after

unemployment which tops the list, poverty is

the key problem for 18% of Serbian citizens;

corruption is in third place, with 12% of

those who see it as the biggest problem for

Serbian citizens today.

Kosovo and Metohija

Relations with Europe and the EU

Health care

Pensions

Poor education system

Feeble and inefficient institutions

Crime and security

Lack of opportunities for young people

Low salaries

Corruption

Poverty

Unemployment

1%

1%

1%

2%

3%

2%

4%

5%

7%

12%

21%

41%

1%

1%

2%

3%

1%

1%

3%

5%

9%

9%

23%

40%

1%

2%

2%

1%

2%

3%

3%

7%

6%

15%

14%

44%

0%

1%

1%

1%

2%

4%

3%

6%

6%

15%

15%

44%

0%

0%

1%

2%

2%

2%

4%

7%

9%

12%

18%

43%

2013 Dec

2013 Jun

2012 Dec

2012 Jun

2011 Nov

THE INCIDENCE OF CORRUPTION

Who paid, how much, to whom and why?

7

CORRUPTION INCIDENCE

Only 19% of interviewees say that people close to them had experience with corruption in the previous three months, which is 1% less than a year ago. This is, at the same time,

the lowest result since the beginning of this research project!

2009

Oct

2010

Mar

2010

Oct

2011

Nov

2012

Jun

2012

Dec

2013

Jun

2013

Dec

2009

Oct

2010

Mar

2010

Oct

2011

Nov

2012

Jun

2012

Dec

2013

Jun

2013

Dec

Indirect experience Direct experience

38%

33% 34%

39%35%

20%

26%

19%15% 16%

13%11%

14%

8%11%

8%

8

WHO GOT PAID?

The trends we have been following in the last three cycles clearly single out doctors and police officers as professionals in the area where corruption is constantly present. We now see a rising trend also with regards to public administration clerks. In the last two cycles, almost half (48%) out of the total number of bribes given have connection with the health

care system and doctors!

Doctor

Policeman

Public administration C

lerk

Prosecutor

Someone else

Teacher/professor

Tax official

Custom

s

Judge

Attorney/law

yer

Com

munal services

25%19%

9%5%

12% 9%3% 3% 5% 3%

7%

47%

15% 14%5% 5% 4% 4% 4% 1% 1% 1%

48%

18% 19%

0%7%

2% 2% 3% 0% 0% 1%

2012 Dec 2013 Jun 2013 Dec

9

WHAT IS THE REASON FOR PAYING A BRIBE?

Almost 60% of Serbian citizens with direct or indirect experience with corruption have offered bribes THEMSELVES in order to obtain a certain service!

However, we have to note that the number of cases where citizens were directly asked for a bribe is a bit higher than six months ago (rise from 19% to 22% in the category of citizens who were directly asked for a bribe). On the other hand, in cases of indirect experrience

with corruption, the number of cases where citizens were directly asked for bribe has dropped by 3% (from 27% to 24%) in the past three months.

2013

Jun

2013

Dec

2013

Jun

2013

Dec

2013

Jun

2013

Dec

2013

Jun

2013

Dec

2013

Jun

2013

Dec

2013

Jun

2013

Dec

They were directly

asked to pay

They offered to pay in or-der to avoid

problems with relevant indi-

viduals

They offered the bribe to obtain

certain services

I was directly asked to pay

I offered to pay in order

to avoid prob-lems with rel-evant individ-

uals

I offered the bribe to ob-tain certain

services

Indirect experience Direct experience

27% 24%17% 18%

58% 56%

19% 22% 24% 22%

56% 57%

10

THE AVERAGE AMOUNT OF BRIBES PAID, A COMPARATIVE REVIEW

Worrisome statistics: the amount of bribes paid in the previous three months has passed the 200 Euros threshold for the third time! The highest average amount in the previous six

cycles was 255 in October 2010. The findings from this cycle (average bribe amount of 250 Euros) show that it has become seriously close to the record amount from October 2010.

2009 Oct

2010 Mar

2010 Oct

2011 Nov

2012 Jun 2012 Dec

2013 Jun 2013 Dec

€ 0

€ 50

€ 100

€ 150

€ 200

€ 250

€ 300

€ 164 € 169

€ 255

€ 178

€ 103

€ 168

€ 205

€ 250

11

PERCEPTION OF CORRUPTION

In this research cycle, the number of those who claim that the level of corruption in Serbia has dropped a little has fallen by 3%; this result shows that there are still some biases among

citizens of Serbia surrounding the direction of the fight against corruption.

2011 Nov

2012 Jun

2012 Dec

2013 Jun

2013 Dec

7%

9%

10%

10%

9%

23%

24%

8%

7%

11%

25%

24%

12%

11%

9%

35%

35%

45%

43%

46%

10%

8%

24%

27%

24%

0%

1%

2%

1%

doesn’t know/no answer

grew a lot

grew a little

remained the same

decreased a little

decreased a lot

12

FUTURE OF CORUPTION IN SERBIA IN THE NEXT 12 MONTHS

Currently, only 2% of citizens expect the level of corruption to drop in the coming 12 months; this is by 3% less than six months ago. There was a symbolic drop (from 28% to 27%) of the number of citizens who claim that the level of corruption will decrease a bit in the next year.

The bulk of the citizens (43%) believe that nothing significant will change with regards to corruption in Serbia.

2011 Nov

2012 Jun

2012 Dec

2013 Jun

2013 Dec

11%

9%

13%

15%

13%

16%

19%

4%

7%

9%

21%

21%

9%

8%

7%

38%

36%

33%

37%

43%

13%

12%

34%

28%

27%

1%

3%

7%

5%

2% doesn’t know/no answer

grew a lot

will grow a little

will remain the same

will decrease a little

will decrease a lot

13

CORRUPTION IS LURKING FROM...?

Perception of the corruption levels within the political parties in December 2013 is the highest since the beginning of this research project and stands at a total of 80%!

Parallel to the rise in corruption perception within political parties, there is a rise in the perception of corruption in almost all the institutions which the citizens perceive as the most corrupt in all research cycles (health care system, police, city administration…) in

relation to June 2013.

City/admin-istration

Customs

Police

Health care

Political parties

55%

63%

63%

74%

76%

64%

66%

64%

74%

77%

51%

52%

56%

69%

72%

51%

62%

65%

68%

72%

59%

59%

74%

71%

80%

2011 Nov

2012 Jun

2012 Dec

2013 Jun

2013 Dec

14

HOW MUCH CORRUPTION IS THERE IN THE KEY INSTITUTIONS OF THE SYSTEM?

Judging by the trends established based on the interviewees' responses, MORE AND MORE!

At this moment the percent of citizens who believe that key institutions of the system (such as the national Government and the Parliament) are to certain extent or very corrupt is

higher by 10% in comparison to only six months ago!

The President is considered as corrupt by 6% more interviewees than in June 2013, and by 11% more than in December of 2012!

Army

President of State

Government

Parliament/leg-islation

25%

45%

67%

63%

32%

47%

69%

65%

13%

24%

47%

44%

16%

29%

47%

48%

20%

35%

57%

58%

2011 Nov

2012 Jun

2012 Dec

2013 Jun

2013 Dec

15

PERCEPTION OF CORRUPTION IN THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM

More than two fifths of interviewees believe that corruption within the health care system is very much present, while there are 27% who say there is a lot of

corruption in the system!

very much a lot medium a little none0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

37

2925

9

1

38

26 26

8

3

41

2725

52

2012 Dec 2013 Jun 2013 Dec

16

ON WHAT GROUNDS DO YOU BELIEVE THAT CORRUPTION IS WIDESPREAD WITHIN THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM?

The percentage of interviewees with

personal experience with

corruption within the health care

system has dropped by 7%.This can be

interpreted as there being slightly

fewer corruption cases in the past three months.

I don’t know

Personal experience, someone asked you or some of your friends/relatives for money, a gift

or a favour

Experience of friends, relatives

Information from media

I see that health workers have small salaries, but live well, which means they are probably on

the take

I don’t think corruption is widespread in the health care system

0 5 101520253035404550

7

18

41

23

5

6

7

22

42

18

8

3

10

15

45

26

4

0

2013 Dec 2013 Jun 2012 Dec

17

PERCEPTION OF CORRUPTION LEVEL AMONG HEALTH CARE WORKERS IN SERBIA

2012 Dec

2013 Jun

2013 Dec

2012 Dec

2013 Jun

2013 Dec

2012 Dec

2013 Jun

2013 Dec

2012 Dec

2013 Jun

2013 Dec

Doc

tors

7.2

5

7.7

13.1

13

12.5

5

5

5.9

27.5

27

26.3

14.6

12

11.9

20.3

23

17.2

3.7

3

2

8.9

9

5.2

24.1

27

23.2

23.3

22

23.1

7

6

8.5

8.2

5

8.5

27.3

27

25.1

21.4

20

19.4

19.4

20

15.6

17.9

21

18.3

15.1

15

16.1

12.4

12

15.7

28.6

26

21.7

19.3

18

18.4

11.7

14

16.1

9.5

10

12

36.2

40

46.3

18.3

20

23.3

Doesn’t know

Not corrupt at all

Corrupt a little

Moderately corrupt

Pretty corrupt

Very corrupt

The number of those who believe in absolute corruption among doctors has grown by 6% compared to the June 2013 research cycle!

18

PERCEPTION OF CORRUPTION LEVEL IN MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS

Trends regarding corruption levels in specific medical institutions, already established in previous two cycles, still stand. The corruption level is highest in

clinical-hospital centres, clinical centres and general hospitals; a generally lower level of corruption is associated with rehabilitation centres and health

care centres.

2012 Dec

2013 Jun

2013 Dec

2012 Dec

2013 Jun

2013 Dec

2012 Dec

2013 Jun

2013 Dec

2012 Dec

2013 Jun

2013 Dec

2012 Dec

2013 Jun

2013 DecG

ener

al h

ospi

tal

Clin

ical

cen

tre

6.4611.210.48

10.515.21623.2

14.91623.222.9

2529.3

15.116

125

64.7

4.43

3.55.23

3.577

7.7

31.52827

15.117159.29

88.59

6.712.9

139.3

25.825

16.72626

23.820.3

2318

21.92016.5

25.624

19.8

13.213

18.225.1

2419.7

26.32222

26.326

22.418.818

16

812

14.918.418

26.324.6272623.126

27.712.713

17.8

Doesn’t know/NA

Doesn’t exist at all

To a small extent

To a medium extent

To a large extent

To a very large exten

19

SOURCES OF INFORMATION ON CORRUPTION

The smaller number of corruption cases in the previous three months has led to citizens claiming that they are informed about corruption through the media mainly, and less

through their own or experiences of people close to them.

Media Rumors Friends, relatives Personal expe-rience

Other sources

66%

34% 35%

13%

2%

60%

38%31%

13%

1%

74%

31% 34%

10%

0%

2012 Dec 2013 Jun 2013 Dec

20

IF SOMEONE DIRECTLY REQUESTS A BRIBE FROM YOU, WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

The number of interviewees ready to pay bribes has fallen to the level of March 2010. Back then, one in five were ready as

well to pay for a solution of a problem

or successful accomplishment of

certain task, bypassing the legal

procedures.

There is continued stagnation in the

category of interviewees who

would report the case of bribe solicitation

to the law enforcement bodies;

there is also a drop in the category of

interviewees who would report a case of

corruption to the relevant

administration.

I’d report it to the media

Wouldn’t do a thing, would wait for situation to change

I’d report it to the adminis-tration

I’d pay if I had the money

I’d report the case to bodies that implement the law

I’d look for someone to help me, without paying the bribe

I’d not pay

8%

10%

10%

15%

13%

29%

33%

7%

11%

11%

17%

11%

26%

33%

4%

9%

14%

18%

24%

34%

40%

7%

14%

14%

17%

18%

32%

46%

6%

15%

9%

20%

19%

28%

40%

2013 Dec

2013 Jun

2012 Dec

2012 Jun

2011 Nov

21

STAKEHOLDERS IN THE ANTICORRUPTION EFFORTS

Since the very beginning, the

Government was recognised as the body

the citizens expect a lot in the process; in the last two cycles it has taken over the leading role in the

battle against corruption from the

police; Compared to the June

research cycle, there is a rise from 39% to

41% of interviewees who believe that the

police is the most adequate body to fight

corruption in the country.

As much as 40% of interviewees are of the

opinion that the judiciary should lead

the battle against corruption; this is the

best score by the judiciary in the

research project so far!

Commissioner for information of public importance and personal

data protection

NGOs

State audit institution

Parliament

President

Ombudsman

Special elite forces

Citizens (associations of citizens)

Anti-Corruption Agency

Judiciary

Police

Government

1%

1%

3%

3%

4%

2%

7%

11%

13%

24%

47%

46%

1%

1%

5%

6%

9%

2%

5%

18%

26%

37%

49%

41%

1%

2%

3%

3%

5%

10%

3%

19%

35%

27%

39%

43%

1%

1%

3%

5%

5%

5%

7%

16%

29%

40%

41%

46%

2013 Dec

2013 Jun

2012 Dec

2012 Jun

22

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY FOR FIGHTING CORRUPTION?

Corruption and crime should be severely sanctioned, and 82% of interviewees stand for this!

They expect a lot from the improvement of legal measures, but also from the strengthening of corruption awareness among the citizens of Serbia. Both forms of battle against corruption are

supported by 67% of Serbian citizens each.

Raised salaries for public administration employees

Transparency in administrative decision making

Enforced control of civil sector (NGOs) over public administration

Raising the level of awareness of corruption

Strengthening of state control over public administration

Improved legislation (new anti-corruption law, international conventions)

Harsh legal sanctions

30%

38%

41%

46%

48%

49%

66%

21%

40%

43%

47%

47%

44%

71%

33%

45%

51%

60%

61%

69%

79%

24%

39%

47%

53%

62%

64%

81%

26%

43%

54%

67%

64%

67%

82%

2013 Dec

2013 Jun

2012 Dec

2012 Jun

2011 Nov

23

EFFICIENCY OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION

The percentage of those who believe there is certain efficiency in the Government's efforts to fight corruption in the country remains the same as in the previous cycle (64%). We can

see a stagnation in regard to the Government's work related to the battle against corruption as there is a smaller percentage of interviewees who evaluate its efforts as very efficient;

there is a bigger number of those who say that it is less efficient.

Doesn’t know/NA Very efficient Little efficient Mostly inefficient Not efficient at all

8%

2%

32%

23%

35%

11% 9%

49%

22%

9%9% 11%

53%

21%

6%7% 7%

57%

20%

8%

2012 Jun 2012 Dec 2013 Jun 2013 Dec

PERCEPTION OF THE WORK OF THE ANTI-CORRUPTION AGENCY

25

RECOGNISABILITY OF THE ANTI-CORRUPTION AGENCY

Recognisability of the Anti-Corruption Agency in the last three cycles remains the same, at a very high level - 77%.

2010 Mar 2010 Oct 2011 Nov 2012 Jun 2012 Dec 2013 Jun 2013 Dec

60%65% 63%

75% 77% 77% 77%

26

AGENCY’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE BATTLE AGAINST CORRUPTION

Calmer and less fervently covered work of the Agency by the media, in the period after the monitoring of electoral campaign financing - caused a decreased perception of this

institution's activities in the eyes of average citizens. This has led to a smaller number of citizens who believe that the Agency provides adequate support to the battle against

corruption at this moment.

2010 Mar

2010 Oct

2011 Nov

2012 Jun

2012 Dec

2013 Jun

2013 Dec

20%

14%

13%

20%

10%

12%

16%

29%

32%

36%

38%

35%

31%

35%

15%

24%

22%

19%

24%

24%

17%

2%

3%

2%

3%

5%

5%

4%

33%

28%

27%

20%

26%

28%

29%

Doesn’t know/NA

Significant

Partial

A little

None

THANK YOU