Results of our studies

IN BRIEF

More and more Russians see positive changes in the fight against corruption.

MOSCOW, March 24, 2015. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the information about the Russian assessments of the levels of corruption, most corrupt spheres of public life, and the effectiveness of the government measures to combat corruption.

More Russians mark the effectiveness of the government measures to counteract corruption: whereas in 2005 the index made up -35 scores, in 2015 it is equal to -5 which is a 13 score increase over a year (from -8 in 2013). Every second Russian notices positive changes (50%). One-third of respondents (33%) believe that the situation has not changed over the recent year (from 41% in 2013); 13% say that the situation deteriorated.

At the same time, half of Russians (56%) do not believe that corruption can ever be eliminated (71% of residents of Moscow and St.Petersburg). They are opposed by 40% of Russians who say that corruption can be won under certain circumstances.

Since 2006 the Corruption index** has not shown any movements and has remained within a range between 71 and 76. This year the Index has scored 74. Three-quarters of Russians (73%) assess the corruption levels in Russia as “high” and “very high”. Those who think so are mainly supporters of CPRF (85%) and retired persons (79%). One-fifth (20%) think the levels are average; only 2%  say “low”; and less than 1% think that there is no corruption in Russia.

The index* showing the levels of corruption at the place of residence scores 64, which is lower than the general level across the country (59% assess the levels of corruption in their city/rural area as “high” or “very high”. Over the recent years this reading has not changed much.

The most corrupt institution is local authorities (34% of respondents). Seventeen percent of Russians notice corruption among federal public officials; over two years this share has considerably decreased (from 26% in 2013). About one-quarter of respondents (23%) say that all spheres of the society are stuck in bribery; this percentage has greatly increased compared to 2013 (15% in 2013). Top five most corrupt institutions involve State Motor Vehicle Inspectorate (25%), police (22%), and judiciary system (18%). Others cite health care service (14%), large enterprises (13%), housing and utilities sector (12%), education (9%) et cet. Least corrupt sphere of public life is mass media (only 2%).

*Index of Fight against Corruption reflects how successful the efforts of the country` leadership are. The higher the value of index is, the more effective the measures are. The index is based on the question “The country` leadership is constantly talking about the need to combat corruption. Have you seen any results of these measures over a year?”; index is measured in scores and can vary between 0 and 100.

**Corruption index reflects the levels of corruption assessed by Russians. The higher the value of index is, the higher the levels of corruption are. The index is based on the question “How would you assess the extent of corruption in…?”; index is measured in scores  and can vary between 0 and 100. The coefficient “1” is assigned for the response “very high” ; “0.75” – for the response “high”; “0.5”- for the response “average”; 0.25” - for the response “low”; “0” - “no corruption”.

The VCIOM opinion poll was conducted March 14-15, 2015; 1600 respondents were interviewed in 132 communities in 46 regions of Russia. The margin of error does not exceed 3.5%.

The country`s leadership is constantly talking about the need to combat corruption. Over the recent year, have you mentioned any results of the anti-corruption measures? (closed-ended question, one answer)

 

2005

2006

2007

2008

2012

2013

2015

Yes, lots of efforts are  being made to combat corruption

3

7

4

7

7

7

11

There are certain results but they are unimportant

27

33

32

32

38

38

39

No real results; nothing has changed

44

44

38

43

38

41

33

Situation is getting worse; corruption intensifies   

21

10

12

10

13

11

12

Don`t know

4

6

14

7

4

3

5

Index of Fight against Corruption*

-35

-14

-14

-14

-6

-8

5

In your opinion, can corruption be won? (closed-ended question, one answer)

 

2009

2012

2015

Yes, corruption can be won but it takes political and society’s will and determination

37

44

40

No, corruption cannot be won

58

50

56

Don`t know

6

7

4

How would you assess the extent of corruption in society, in general? (closed-ended question, one answer)

 

2006

2007

2008

2012

2013

2015

Very high

41

31

30

29

32

33

High

37

44

44

46

48

40

Average

13

13

19

19

16

20

Low

1

1

1

1

1

2

I think that there is no corruption

1

<1

<1

<1

<1

<1

Don`t know

8

11

6

4

4

5

Corruption index **

75

71

72

74

76

74

How would you assess the extent of corruption in your community? (closed-ended question, one answer)

 

2006

2007

2008

2012

2013

2015

Very high levels

26

25

22

19

24

26

High

31

35

34

34

38

33

Average

22

17

23

25

22

24

Low

7

4

6

6

6

6

No corruption

3

3

4

4

2

1

Don`t know

11

15

11

12

8

10

Corruption index*

62

62

60

59

65

64

Which spheres and public institutions are most corrupt in Russia, according to your point of view?

 (closed-ended question, not more than three answers)

 

2006

2007

2008

2012

2013

2015

Authorities

33

26

28

36

39

34

Traffic police / State Motor Vehicle Inspectorate

29

33

33

32

27

25

Entire society

24

23

23

19

15

23

Police (excluding  traffic police / State Motor Vehicle Inspectorate)

24

24

26

26

19

22

Judiciary system

13

13

15

21

18

18

Federal authorities/government

20

12

15

26

26

17

Healthcare

11

16

16

17

19

14

Large enterprises

14

10

13

14

18

13

Housing and utilities service

-

-

-

-

14

12

Education

12

15

15

13

13

9

Military commissariat

11

11

8

7

6

6

Show business/entertainment

7

8

6

4

5

4

Army

5

4

5

7

4

4

Trade

3

3

4

3

4

4

Political parties

3

2

3

3

3

3

Parliament  (State Duma, Federation Council)

4

4

3

7

5

3

Mass media

2

1

3

2

2

2

Don`t know

5

10

6

4

6

5

Until 2013 there was o such answer option   

Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM, the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory!

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